Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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TUT: Tutorials

TUT 2: Energy Concepts of the Future (AGjDPG, AKE)

TUT 2.2: Tutorium

Sunday, March 13, 2011, 16:35–17:10, HSZ 03

Fuel cells — •Uwe Reimer — Institute of Energy and Climate Research / IEK-3: Fuel Cells, High-temperature Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany

Fuel cells are efficient energy converters that are believed to play an important role in the future concept of energy production and storage. The tutorial explains the basic principles of fuel cells and provides an overview over the present available types. The advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells compared to other energy converters are briefly discussed. Today's application of fuel cells include space crafts and submarines, hence it can be said that the technology is ready and reliable. The question 'Why is it not already widely used?' may be answered at the end. Nevertheless, more questions will be raised, which should inspire the audience to think about the role of energy supply of the future. The topic 'fuel cells' is highly interdisciplinary, since it combines the areas of physics, chemistry, material science and engineering .