Chemistry Project Abstract
FUEL CELLS AND THE FUTURE
Presenter:
Sravisht Iyer, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; sravisht@imsa.edu
Advisors:
Dr. Leon Lederman, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Great Minds Program, Aurora, IL, 60506; 630-907-5912; lederman@fnal.gov
Dr. Judith Scheppler, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Grainger Center for Imagination and Inquiry, Aurora, IL, 60506; 630-907-5899; quella@imsa.edu
Dr. Susan Styer, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Biology, Aurora, IL, 60506; 630-907-5943; sstyer@imsa.edu
Abstract:
Over the years, America and all industrialized nations have grown to depend on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy. As an effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, there is an increased effort to develop alternative energy sources like fuel cells. A fuel cell is a device that converts the energy from electrochemical reactions into electrical energy. There are various types of fuel cells such as proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, molten carbonate, phosphoric acid, and alkali and each have various unique applications. Among the most exciting developments in the field is a solid electrolyte fuel cell developed by Dr. Sossina Haile and her group at Caltech. The fuel cell developed by Haile and her lab is unique because it is a middle ground between some of the fuel cells discussed above. While limitations in design often result in fuel cells operating in extremes (for example extremely large and powerful or extremely small and rather weak), Haile's work provides us with a middle ground between these fuel cells and has the potential to greatly expand the applications of fuel cells. Haile's biography will be featured with other American scientists in a book of biographies written by IMSA students.