ELEG 419 - Fuel Cells

3 Credit(s)

A fuel cell is an electrochemical battery that can convert the energy from a fuel into electrical power with high efficiency and zero emission. Much attention has been put recently to the development of fuel cell systems for the application in stationary system, portable devices, transportation, and infrastructure. The fundamental principles applied to fuel cells including the relevant electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and transport processes, will be presented in this course. The primary focus will be on fundamental principles and processes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. Special topics in the cutting-edge technologies including the future direction of fuel cell technology will also be discussed. Students will have an opportunity to directly operate a fuel cell and electrolyser as part of a hand-on laboratory experience. A course project will focus on the design of a smart grid power system.