Photo by V. Miller
Nov. 28, 2007
Electrolysis and Fuel Cell Output
The Effect of Temperature and Energy Input on Electrolysis and Fuel Cell Output
Katherine Strube, 14, Glendale, Mo.
Second Place, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2007
 |
| DCYSC |
Project background: In an age of global warming, using hydrogen as an energy source has appeal. But first scientists must learn how to efficiently extract hydrogen from water and then convert it to electrical energy in a fuel cell. Focusing on these two steps, Katherine hypothesized that if power or water temperature is increased, the time it takes to produce hydrogen through electrolysis of water will decrease. She also hypothesized that if the temperature of a fuel cell is increased, the fuel cell's output will fall.
Tactics and results: Katherine confirmed her first two hypotheses. She tested various levels of power input and different water temperatures in a series of electrolysis experiments. She found that higher power input slashed the time it took to produce hydrogen gas and that a higher water temperature slightly decreased the time.
 |
| Photo by V. Miller |
But when Katherine tested the fuel cells at three different temperatures, she found that increasing the temperature had only a slight effect on their output.
To get science project ideas and expert advice from Science Buddies, go to www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shmtl.
Read the latest science fair news
Get a science fair tip
Browse a list of science fair topics
Talk Back:
Do you have any comments about this ScienceFairZone? Send them
to us using the form below.
|
SNK RSS Feed 
