Practical fuel cell
Pila de combustible práctica
- Date
- 1959 · confidence high
- Place
- University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Bacon); General Electric, United States (Gemini, 1962-1965)
- Credited to
- Francis Thomas Bacon (5 kW alkaline fuel cell, 1959); GE (proton-exchange membrane for Gemini); used on Apollo
- People
- 👤 Francis Thomas Bacon1904–1992
- Field
- Matter & energy
What it is
A device that converts hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity and water, without combustion. It powered the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft and underlies today's hydrogen vehicles.
What it led to
- The electricity and water supply of the Apollo capsules
- Hydrogen cars and lorries (Toyota Mirai)
- The hydrogen economy as a decarbonisation vector
Built on
- Hydrogen1766
- Grove fuel cell (gas voltaic battery)1838-1842
- Grove's cell (1839)
- electrolysis
- ion-exchange polymers
Made possible
- Proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell1955-1965
- MOXIE: oxygen produced from the Martian atmosphere20 de abril de 2021
- hydrogen vehicles
- PEM electrolysers