1. Malcolm Butler, Penny Hall & Susan Schleith
Florida Engineering Education Conference Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology April 2016
Malcolm Butler, Penny Hall & Susan Schleith

2. Goal
Participants will use a reversible Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cell in both its modes and describe the results.

3. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Activity
Care of Fuel Cell
Set-up Experiment
Observe Results

4. Hydrogen Is an energy carrier – not an energy source
Stores and delivers energy in a usable form
Can be combusted, as in rocket fuel, or used in a fuel cell to make electricity

5. How Does A PEM Fuel Cell Work?
Hydrogen flows through channels to the anode
A catalyst causes hydrogen molecules to separate into protons and electrons
Membrane only allows protons to pass through
While protons are passing through, the negatively charged electrons follow an external circuit to the cathode.
On the other side of the cell, oxygen gas (usually from outside air) flows through channels to the cathode.
When electrons return from doing work, they react with Oxygen and the Hydrogen protons (after passing through the membrane) at the cathode to form water.
This creates an exothermic reaction, generating heat that can be used outside the fuel cell.
A single fuel cell produces about 1 volt or less electricity.
Individual cells are stacked in series to increase the amount of electricity generated. Information gathered from

6. Next Generation Science Standards
Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
SC.6.N.1.1, SC.7.N.1.1, SC Define a problem from the curriculum using appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables and graphics, analyze information, make predictions and defend conclusions.

7. Next Generation Science Standards
Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
SC.6.N Discuss, compare and negotiate methods used, results obtained, and explanations among groups of students conducting the same investigation.
SC.7.N Distinguish between an experiment (which must involve the identification and control of variables) and other forms of scientific investigation and explain that not all scientific knowledge is derived from experimentation.
Big Idea 11: Energy Transfer and Transformations
SC.7.P Investigate and describe the transformation of energy from one form to another.

8. Next Generation Science Standards
Big Idea 8: Properties of Matter
SC.8.P Recognize that there are a finite number of elements and that their atoms combine tin a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter.
SC.8.P.8.8 – Identify basic examples of and compare and classify the properties of compounds, including acids, bases and salts.
Big Idea 9: Changes in Matter
SC.8.P.9.2 – Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes.

9. Student Projects Using Fuel Cells
Energy Transfer Machine with Hydrogen Fuel Cell

10. Student Projects Using Fuel Cells
Hydrogen Horizon Automotive Challenge

11. Questions?
Contact Information
Malcolm Butler Susan Schleith
Penny Hall Tom Lancione