Renaissance for PEM fuel cells

Mike L. Perry gives a brief review of the history and current status of PEM fuel cells, and provides an insight into why this technology is now being developed for a wide variety of applications, ranging from portable electronics to automobiles.

In my first article for BEST (Winter 2007 edition) I gave a brief overview of the five major types of fuel cells, including the status of development of each type and the applications being pursued. I also explained why polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are on a commercialisation path that is dramatically different from other . . .