Hydrogen fuel cells have the power to change all our lives. Cliff Porter looks at a set of resources that demonstrate the principles

NASA uses them on the Space Shuttle, prototype cars run on their power and soon you could be generating your own electricity with one in the school lab. Hydrogen fuel cells offer a clean source of electricity and Heliocentris have developed a range of kits that demonstrate them brilliantly in the classroom. It even includes a fuel-cell-powered model car.

Electric vehicles are nothing new. But heavy batteries, charged using electricity generated from fossil fuels, mean they are not yet a practical “zero emission” transport option. Hydrogen fuel cells are compact and generate electricity as hydrogen passes through a polymer membrane to combine with oxygen. The only waste is water and applications could include locally generated domestic electricity.

The Heliocentris solar-hydrogen science kit comprises of a solar cell, electrolyser, hydrogen fuel cell and load unit to measure the electricity generated. This allows a variety of energy conversions to be demonstrated. The solar panel shows the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy, which is then used to electrolyse distilled water into hydrogen and oxygen. Pipe these gases to the hydrogen fuel cell and they recombine to generate electricity, which is used to spin a motor, or illuminate a light, on the load unit. Digital meters in the unit show the fuel cell capable of currents of up to 1000mA and 1V.

Assembling the kit is easy and placing the solar cell in weak sunlight results in visible bubbles in the electrolyser within minutes and enough energy from the fuel cell to turn the electric motor within 10 minutes. Illumination with artificial light allows controlled experiments investigating the properties of the solar cell at different light intensities. An additional kit includes a fuel cell car. This contains a “reversible” hydrogen fuel cell which can be charged using the solar panel or an external electricity source. Once the gases have been generated, the cell can be switched to generate electricity to drive the car and show the conversion of potential energy to electrical and kinetic energy.

Suitable for secondary-aged students, the kits come complete with four books which describe 25 experiments and investigations suitable for GCSE and post-16 students. Energy Through Hydrogen contains articles suitable for student reference materials that explain how fuel cells work and their possible use in the future. Science Through Hydrogen has a range of experiments and investigations for GCSE topics including energy conversion, current and charge flow, reversible reactions, energy and the environment. Chemistry and Physics Through Hydrogen are aimed at post-16 courses and includes investigations into Faraday’s laws, electrolysis, catalysis, reaction velocity, current and charge flow, energy and power. The Heliocentris kits have a wide range of applications in both science and design and technology. They are simple to use and effectively demonstrate the prinicples of solar and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. A set of well-produced and relevant teaching materials make the kits a useful resource in giving students the experience of these alternative energy technologies.

Cliff Porter is a freelance writer on science education