Fuel Cell Challenge

Has developed a new challenge that will soon be available to teachers! Engineering Design Experience used in our other challenges Classroom kit has materials to build nine student vehicles PEM fuel cell powers the vehicles’ electric motor STEM concepts integrated in the curriculum Energy transformations explored

Parts in the Student Design Kit

Preparing the fuel cell Cut some tubing; you’ll want a couple 1” pieces, and a 2” and 3” piece Attach the tubing to the 5ml syringes and the pressure relief valves Hydrate the fuel cell; inject distilled water into the oxygen side

Preparing the fuel cell Attach the valves to the lower nozzles on the cell Insert the banana clips… …into the fuel cell Attach the syringes to the upper nozzles

Electrolysis with the fuel cell The battery pack should be off Attach the battery pack to the fuel cell; red to red and black to black POLARITY IS EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT! Turn the battery pack on; observe the plungers moving as gas is being produced; turn the battery pack off to stop gas production.

Using the fuel cell to power a motor Attach the black and red leads from the banana clips on the fuel cell to the leads on the back of the motor Observe the plungers as the gas is used by the fuel cell (click image to animate)

Assembling the vehicle Attach the gear box to the chassis Attach the axle brace to the front of the vehicle Push wheels on to the axles Attach the fuel cell mounting brace to the chassis Attach the fuel cell to the brace