How to make Fuel cells ??

jacquesl · 20th March 2005, 10:02 PM

hi, i'm jacques

I know this topic has nothing to do than with DIY Audio but I coun'd't found anything usefull about "How to make Fuel cells" and I want to ask you people if you have any constuction or plans for me on how to make my own Fuel cells.

Cal Weldon · 21st March 2005, 02:36 AM

Hi Jacques,

No, I don't know anything about fuel cells but I do live not too far from Ballard Power in Burnaby, and have been interested in seeing their progress.

I'm not sure you can just go about making your own can you?

Also, this is more of an Off-Topic thread. I wonder of the mods will move it.

Cal

Duo · 21st March 2005, 04:00 AM

This is interesting, I've been looking at fuel cells as a project for a while now and I just pick up bits of information on the way.

I would imagine that we'll have a hard time finding copious information on the subject, though, I think with some careful experimentation and logic, it could come off.

I'd be interested to see what happens in this area.

pradit_p · 21st March 2005, 04:43 AM

http://www.goodideacreative.com/fuel_cell.html
How to DIY Fuel Cell.
For Your information.

Regards,
Pradit

jacquesl · 21st March 2005, 08:23 PM

The only problem I have is that I dont have money to pay and also dont want to pay for anything. I live in South
Africa we have a poor land and the internet speeds are like 3 k/bs MAX on a 56k on download speed.

TwoSpoons · 22nd March 2005, 12:42 AM

The Phillip Hurley e-book is pretty good.

If you have no money then that book will be of no use to you at all. The design requires platinum as a catalyst ($$$$) and DuPont's Nafion as a proton exchange membrane (also $$$$).

You might be able to build a molten carbonate or phosphoric acid fuel cell though. Google is you friend, so is the USPTO patent database!

Sch3mat1c · 22nd March 2005, 04:53 AM

Easy: grab some zinc, copper and a salt to make conductive water. The zinc fuel oxidizes to Zn(OH)2 + H2 (gas bubbles) in exchange for electrochemical energy. It'll make about a volt per cell.

Fuel cells, as the term generally alludes to these days, involves the ionization potential of 2 H2 + O2 > 2 H2O, with weird stuff, catalysts and so on. They can be made at home with kits but making them worth something is a matter of many millions of dollars of ongoing research.

Tim

jacquesl · 24th March 2005, 08:50 PM

Sch3mat1c that's not a fuel cell man that almost like a lemon battery, its +- 1 volt and 0.001 Amps that will not even power a LED

Sch3mat1c · 24th March 2005, 08:53 PM

No, more than 1mA (assuming you make something larger than a dime!), and it IS a fuel cell. It uses ions and their potentials, and oxidizes a material in exchange for electrical energy.

Is that not a fuel cell?

And actually, it is a lemon battery - if you use lemon juice for the electrolyte. Except, it isn't a battery, a battery is an array (a "battery", you could say) of cells.

Tim

20th March 2005, 10:02 PM	#1
jacquesl diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lego Land	How to make Fuel cells ?? hi, i'm jacques I know this topic has nothing to do than with DIY Audio but I coun'd't found anything usefull about "How to make Fuel cells" and I want to ask you people if you have any constuction or plans for me on how to make my own Fuel cells.

21st March 2005, 02:36 AM	#2
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Hi Jacques, No, I don't know anything about fuel cells but I do live not too far from Ballard Power in Burnaby, and have been interested in seeing their progress. I'm not sure you can just go about making your own can you? Also, this is more of an Off-Topic thread. I wonder of the mods will move it. Cal __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

21st March 2005, 04:00 AM	#3
Duo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada	This is interesting, I've been looking at fuel cells as a project for a while now and I just pick up bits of information on the way. I would imagine that we'll have a hard time finding copious information on the subject, though, I think with some careful experimentation and logic, it could come off. I'd be interested to see what happens in this area. __________________ -- Duo, W1ngs, VA7MON, and lesser known handles. -- -- http://www.w1ngselectronics.com -- My Work and Projects --

22nd March 2005, 04:53 AM	#7
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Easy: grab some zinc, copper and a salt to make conductive water. The zinc fuel oxidizes to Zn(OH)2 + H2 (gas bubbles) in exchange for electrochemical energy. It'll make about a volt per cell. Fuel cells, as the term generally alludes to these days, involves the ionization potential of 2 H2 + O2 > 2 H2O, with weird stuff, catalysts and so on. They can be made at home with kits but making them worth something is a matter of many millions of dollars of ongoing research. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

24th March 2005, 08:53 PM	#9
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	No, more than 1mA (assuming you make something larger than a dime!), and it IS a fuel cell. It uses ions and their potentials, and oxidizes a material in exchange for electrical energy. Is that not a fuel cell? And actually, it is a lemon battery - if you use lemon juice for the electrolyte. Except, it isn't a battery, a battery is an array (a "battery", you could say) of cells. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

21st March 2005, 04:43 AM	#4
pradit_p diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thailand	http://www.goodideacreative.com/fuel_cell.html How to DIY Fuel Cell. For Your information. Regards, Pradit

21st March 2005, 08:23 PM	#5
jacquesl diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lego Land	The only problem I have is that I dont have money to pay and also dont want to pay for anything. I live in South Africa we have a poor land and the internet speeds are like 3 k/bs MAX on a 56k on download speed.

22nd March 2005, 12:42 AM	#6
TwoSpoons diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	The Phillip Hurley e-book is pretty good. If you have no money then that book will be of no use to you at all. The design requires platinum as a catalyst ($$$$) and DuPont's Nafion as a proton exchange membrane (also $$$$). You might be able to build a molten carbonate or phosphoric acid fuel cell though. Google is you friend, so is the USPTO patent database!

24th March 2005, 08:50 PM	#8
jacquesl diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lego Land	Sch3mat1c that's not a fuel cell man that almost like a lemon battery, its +- 1 volt and 0.001 Amps that will not even power a LED

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyway to resurrect some NiMH Cells	kvk	Everything Else	18	26th April 2010 09:38 PM
solar-fuel cell for dac?	nicoch58	Digital Source	13	25th May 2007 08:41 AM
9V from 2 AA cells	space-cake	Parts	6	7th October 2006 04:05 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read