\nDefinitions are important in technical communication to convey information. The purpose of this assignment is to inform non-technical readers about the function of a fuel cell, from the perspective of a company that specializes in fuel cell production. These readers will need an overview of the device<\/span>, <\/b>\u00a0how it works, its benefits, current applications, and safety concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The fuel cell function and uses will be explained with the use of a parenthetical definition, a sentence definition, and an expanded definition.<\/p>\n
Parenthetical Definition\u00a0<\/b><\/span> Sentence Definition<\/b><\/span> Expanded Definition\u00a0<\/b><\/span> How does a fuel cell work?<\/b> What are the benefits of fuel cells?<\/b> How can fuel cells be used?<\/b> Are fuel cells safe?<\/b> References<\/b><\/span> \u201cFuel Cell Basics.\u201d <\/span>Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.fchea.org\/fuelcells<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFuel Cell Electric Vehicles.\u201d <\/span>Alternative Fuels Data Center: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/afdc.energy.gov\/vehicles\/fuel_cell.html<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHydrogen Facts.\u201d <\/span>Hydrogen Facts | About Ballard | Ballard Power<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.ballard.com\/about-ballard\/hydrogen<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSafety Issues Regarding Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles.\u201d Minnesota Department of Public Safety,\u00a0 https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/divisions\/sfm\/programs-services\/Documents\/Responder%20Safety\/Alternative%20Fuels\/FuelCellHydrogenFuelVehicleSafety.pdf#search=fuel%20cell%20safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The objective of the Definition Assignment was to choose a word that relates to my professional field and define it for a particular audience. I decided to define the word \u2018fuel cell\u2019 and explain it to a nontechnical audience. Three … Continue reading
\nWith the negative impact climate change has on the world, <\/span>fuel cells <\/b>(hydrogen powered devices that produce electricity) have become increasingly important to combat the growing climate crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA <\/span>fuel cell<\/b> is a device that produces electricity via an electrochemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen. With similar uses as traditional batteries, fuel cells can be used in applications including: transportation and infrastructure (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhat is a fuel cell?<\/b>
\nA fuel cell is a device that conducts energy, similar to a battery. However, unlike traditional batteries that use metals to conduct electricity, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen gas (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d). Fuel cells do not store energy, so they need a constant supply of hydrogen to produce electricity.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFuel cells contain a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). Between these two electrodes lies an electrolyte membrane (\u201cFuel Cells\u201d). As seen in Figure 1, a fuel cell operates by flowing hydrogen into the anode side and oxygen on the cathode side. As hydrogen and oxygen enter the cell, they react across the membrane (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d). Small particles called electrons are stripped from hydrogen and used to create electricity by flowing through an external circuit (\u201cHydrogen Facts\u201d). The hydrogen then combines with the oxygen to form water. The overall electrochemical reaction that occurs in a fuel cell releases heat, water, and electrons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/engl30198a2022s12\/files\/2022\/06\/FuelCell-300x261.png\")
<\/b>\u00a0Figure 1.<\/b> Fuel cell parts and operation (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFuel cells are efficient, environmentally friendly, and affordable (\u201cFuel Cell Electric\u201d). Whereas traditional combustion engines emit carbon dioxide, fuel cells are a low or zero emission alternative that can mitigate the climate crisis (\u201cFuel Cells\u201d). With few moving parts, fuel cells remain quiet during operation (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d). Fuel cells are also scalable, as they can be stacked together to power larger systems.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFuel cell technology is currently used in commercial vehicles as a clean energy alternative to combustion engines. Compared to electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles can be quickly refuelled and have a larger driving range (\u201cHydrogen Facts\u201d)<\/span>. <\/b>Other applications for fuel cells include: energy storage, electronics, transportation, and more (\u201cFuel Cell Basics\u201d).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFuel cells are generally considered safe. However, there are some safety concerns that are shared with batteries and combustion engines. As fuel cells operate like batteries, high currents are generated, which can risk electrical shock (\u201cSafety Issues\u201d). Additionally, although hydrogen is a non-toxic fuel, it is a flammable gas (\u201cSafety Issues\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cFuel Cells.\u201d <\/span>Energy.gov<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/fuelcells\/fuel-cells.<\/span><\/p>\n