Gm Readies Fuel Cell Technology

July 7, 2011 By

General Motors has announced it is moving more than 500 fuel cell experts from advanced development laboratories to core engineering functions to prepare fuel cell technology for future production.

Over 400 fuel cell engineers will report to the company’s Powertrain Group to start production engineering of fuel cell systems. The automaker added that 100 workers will transfer to GM’s Global Product Development organization to begin integrating fuel cells into future product lines. Additionally, over 150 fuel cell scientists and program support will remain as part of the automaker’s Research and Development center. They will continue advanced research in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and program commercialization. The decision of the largest American automaker is aimed at expediting its efforts to produce vehicles that displace petroleum through energy diversity.

GM Vice President Research and Development and Strategic Planning Larry Burns stands with the company’s E-Flex Fuel Cell variant. “Eight years ago we said that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle technology could make a major contribution to solving the energy and environmental challenges facing the automobile industry,” said Burns. “Today’s announcement signals another important milestone as we move fuel cell vehicles closer to future production.”

“Moving our fuel cell experts from advanced development laboratories to our core engineering organizations highlights our strong commitment to developing electrically-driven vehicles using diverse energy sources” said Tom Stephens, the GM Group Vice President of Global Powertrain.

The GM realignment is another initiative in its commitment to displace petroleum usage in the industry through a range of propulsion alternatives. The alternatives include the E85-capable biofuel vehicles, two-mode hybrid system for large city buses, a two-mode hybrid system for the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, the Saturn Vue Green Line and Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid Systems, and a two-mode hybrid Vue Green Line.

The largest American automaker shared details about its fifth-generation fuel cell system technology at the Shanghai Auto Show in April when it introduced the fuel cell-powered E-Flex version of the Chevrolet Volt. This updated system is half the size of its forerunner but delivers the same performance and power. The Volt may not be flaunting the Chevrolet Camaro heat shield but it features the most advanced technology in the auto industry. The Volt is expected to be released a few years from now.

Currently, the company’s fourth-generation system powers the Chevrolet Sequel and Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles. The Sequel is the first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to achieve over 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while generating zero emissions. The Equinox Fuel Cell will be introduced later this year as part of Project Driveway, which will place over 100 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with consumers in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Leading the fuel cell engineering team is Dr. J. Byron McCormick, the current executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities. McCormick will report simultaneously to Dan Hancock, the GM Powertrain Vice President for Global Engineering, and John Buttermore, the GM Powertrain Vice President for Global Manufacturing.

McCormick has been working on electric and fuel cell propulsion system research and development for more than three decades. He was part of the development of the EV-1 electric vehicle. In the past decade, he has led the GM fuel cell activities team to becoming the leader in fuel cell technology worldwide.

GM offers more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg on the highway than any other automaker in the U.S. market. Additionally, the company is also the first automotive member to join the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of global companies and non-governmental organizations formed to back an campaigns aimed at limiting carbon emissions.

Question by The Great Poomba: If I can get another 4 years out of my current car will fuel cell possibly be in my next car?

I’m sure I could get at least 4 years out of my current car. I’m tempted to get a new car sooner, but I’m hoping my next car will have some better technology than standard gas or even hybrid. Do you think fuel cell will be widely available and financially affordable in the next 4 years?

Best answer:

Answer by All Knowing
no, to soon, this fuel cell will take much longer to be usable.

Give your answer to this question below!

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Used Honda – Fuel Cell Technology

July 4, 2011 By

Article by Pete J Ridgard

If you had told scientists just a few decades ago that the first hydrogen powered car would be out pretty early into the 21st Century, then I very much doubt that they would have believed you. After all, the idea is that this technology uses one of our most available and copious resources to essentially produce energy, where the only emissions are the water that then goes back into producing the energy. It is cyclical, revolutionary, and quite frankly incredible. It has also happened so absurdly fast that many people haven’t even realised hydrogen fuel cell cars are available, which considering the publicity currently being given to all the less effective electric cars in the market, is quite a surprise.

The car that is available is produced by Honda, a fact that probably won’t surprise people who have observed Honda’s game over the past few years. You see, this innovative brand always appears to be ahead of the crowd – their hybrid car came out so many years ago that it doesn’t seem possible, and they are the only real competitor in the Fuel cell market. They are, quite simply, far better at working out what area is likely to take off next technologically, and where they needs to concentrate the next chunk of the research and development costs. They always make an educated guess, and they are very rarely wrong!

The FCX Clarity, Honda’s fuel cell car, is so new that you will be very unlikely to find one in a used Honda garage any time soon. However, what they haven’t seem to realise is that their hydrogen power doesn’t seem to be renewable – you will still have to fill up the tank with hydrogen rather than petrol or diesel. The end goal, I would imagine, would be to have a car that can turn the water by-product back into hydrogen and oxygen, ready to be combined again to produce energy, and so on and so forth.

Still, limitations aside, I personally feel that Honda are heading in the right direction by making this technology available in the real world. Far to many big and powerful oil companies are trying to stop hydrogen power happening, hence the emphasis instead on electric power – which, when you think about it, generally does a similar type of damage to the world. If eventually we can create something that either runs on plain water or which gets filled with hydrogen only the once, then that would save a lot of money, and would of course create a transport industry that won’t run out of those all important fossil fuels – in fact, it will be a nothing in nothing out world.

This of course is much better for the world in the long run, and whilst it may put some strain on the big powerful oil companies it is still something that needs to be thought about seriously and done for the greater, non corporate good. Sure it is thorny issue – but all the really important debates are.

About the Author

Pete J Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses Used Honda cars.

Filed Under: Hydrogen Fuel Tagged With: , , , ,

Honda Environmental Technology Advances with Honda Accord Hybrid and Honda Fuel Cell Stack

July 3, 2011 By

Article by Jenny McLane

Employing Variable Cylinder Management technology (VCM), Honda Accord Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle to deactivate three of its engine’s six cylinders in certain conditions like highway cruising for greater fuel efficiency without affecting its performance. The new 2005 V6 Accord Hybrid integrates the fuel economy of a four cylinder compact Civic and high-level performance.Combining VCM with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid captured four of the top five slots in the EPA 2004 fuel economy ratings. In 2005, Honda-developed fuel cell stack featuring increased performance and fuel efficiency, reduced cost and the capability to start in below freezing temperatures.Leading the pioneering efforts for the development and application of leading edge environmental technologies including the first Low Emissions (LEV) and Ultra-Low Emissions (ULEV) vehicles and the first commercially certified fuel cell vehicle, Honda now again has proven its innovative ideas.FCX fuel vehicle powered by the Honda FC stack is the realization of Honda’s long held effort of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Honda FCX then on its launching will be the first and only fuel cell vehicle certified by the EPA and California Air Resources Board for regular commercial use.Starting and operating a vehicle in cold weather and freezing temperatures is a daunting technical barrier to the mass-market application of fuel cell technology. Honda’s answer to this problem is the Fuel Cell stack with its newly developed electrolyte membranes and stamped metal separator structure for improved efficiency, recycle ability, and operation over a greater range of temperatures.Prior to the FC stack’s introduction in the Honda FCX, public road evaluations in the U.S and Japan is on going. Make Honda parts shopping hassle-free and satisfying for you. Partstrain offers the best prices to save you on your next Honda parts purchase. We give you the best value and superior quality Honda parts. Buy from http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/HONDA and expect fast & reliable shipping of your Honda parts orders.

About the Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

Filed Under: Fuel Cell Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Fuel Cell Technology Could Be Beneficial to Auto Industry

July 3, 2011 By

Article by Terry Brown

Fuel cell technology is one of the advanced technologies that auto manufacturers are trying to perfect at the moment. This is most possibly due to the high rise of gas prices as well as the large amount of concerned consumers and manufacturers on the harmful emissions that ordinary vehicles and cars emit.

According to Vijay Shankar Murthy, a senior research analyst from Frost & Sullivan, “Fuel cells are likely to be initially targeted on fleet vehicles. Following the success of these cells in fleet vehicles, other vehicles such as passenger cars and trucks are expected to exhibit similar trends.” And if this kind of technology proves to be much more beneficial than the usual, the auto industry sure would be reaping in more consumers which could result to higher amount of sales. Although Geo auto parts creators and other auto parts manufacturers may not directly benefit from this, the more sales of vehicles would also help them out have much sales. More vehicles on the streets would also equate to more sales for auto parts and auto accessories.

Aside from these, there are even growing pressures from the regulations and rules given out by authorities and government groups like the Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, as well as the Department of Transportation or the DOT. These groups are much encouraging the use of fuel cell technologies. You see, these technologies actually are a surefire way of ensuring that vehicle emissions are greatly reduced. Consumers who also use cars with fuel cell technology are able to save much on the much coveted fuel and gas.

Murthy further explains, “Prospective fuel cell technologies for the automotive industry such as solid oxide, proton exchange membrane, and alkaline fuel cells can power a variety of automobiles including trucks, cars, and motorcycles.” Indeed, if this kind of technology is further developed, results could prove to be very beneficial not only to consumers and manufacturers alike but also to the environment.

About the Author

Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto-related. He currently writes auto-related articles for several publications.

The Sad story of American Inventor Stan Meyer who came up with a fully functioning engine system that fully powered our automobiles with any kind of water, that would have given every one of us freedom from fossil fuels for a one time charge of 00. Never needing maintenance or repairs, and used about 22 gallons of water to drive across the entire US from NY to LA. and the deal made with our Government, and the outcome of that deal.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Gm Readies Fuel Cell Technology for Future Production

June 30, 2011 By


General Motors Corp. is looking to advance its fuel cell ambitions to another level by moving more than 500 fuel cell experts from advanced development laboratories to core engineering functions to prepare this technology for future production.

According to media reports, more than 400 fuel cell engineers are set to report to GM’s Powertrain Group to begin production engineering of fuel cell systems. Another 100 will transfer to GM’s Global Product Development organization to begin integrating fuel cells into future company vehicles. Finally, more than 150 fuel cell scientists and program support will remain as part of GM’s Research and Development center to continue advanced research in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and program commercialization.

The move is aimed at speeding up the company’s efforts to produce vehicles that displace petroleum through energy diversity.

According to Larry Burns, GM Vice President, Research and Development, “Eight years ago we said that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle technology could make a major contribution to solving the energy and environmental challenges facing the automobile industry.” The announcement, Burns adds, signals another important milestone as GM moves fuel cell vehicles closer to future production.

GM, maker of quality GMC window regulator, gave the details about its fifth-generation fuel cell system technology when it unveiled the fuel cell-powered E-Flex version of the Chevrolet Volt at the Shanghai Auto Show last April. This latest system is half the size of its predecessor, yet provides the same power and performance.

This realignment is yet another initiative in GM’s commitment to displace petroleum usage in the auto industry through a range of propulsion alternatives, including:

• E85-capable biofuel vehicles – GM is a leading producer with more than 2 million on the road today

• GM’s 2-mode hybrid system for large city buses

• GM’s Hybrid System in the Saturn Vue Green Line and Saturn Aura Green Line

• Coming this fall, GM’s 2-mode hybrid system in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs, which provides a more than 25-percent improvement in fuel economy to what is already the industry’s most fuel-efficient large SUVs, with no compromises in performance or towing capability

• Due next year, a front-wheel-drive 2-mode Saturn Vue Green Line that is expected to deliver up to a 45-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the current non-hybrid Vue, based on current federal test procedures

• Plans to produce a plug-in version of the 2-mode hybrid Vue Green Line that has the potential to achieve double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV

GM’s fourth-generation system currently powers the Chevrolet Sequel and Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles. The Sequel recently went into the record books as the first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to achieve more than 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while producing zero emissions. The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell will be launched later this year as part of Project Driveway, which will place more than 100 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with consumers in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Question by Jessie: Why manufactured try to use hydrogen fuel cell this technology in their industry?

why manufacture want to use hydrogen fuel cell built a car?

Best answer:

Answer by racer123
This tech has proven so far that it is ultra-expensive with a very limited life, thus it must be subsidized to even compete with low-tech battery/solar tech. Manufacture’ers are after the big millions of $ from governments willing to dish it out. Why you ask? -To pocket the money and keep their co’s wealthy. This tech has proven it’s-self,so far, a money pit deeper than the marrianna trench. Why do some governments continue to fund it? It’s all about keeping that underground bunker supplied with electricity-after the bombs have been let loose.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

This video discusses the various military application their technology and how it can improve the US Military.

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Honda’s video guide to Hydrogen fuel cell technology in cars (eg. FCX Clarity)

June 28, 2011 By

Honda’s guide to how the technology in its hydrogen fuel cell production vehicle – the FCX Clarity – works. “Fuel cell cars, which run on electricity produced from compressed Hydrogen, emit zero harmful emissions and could be the future of motoring. They can be just as fast, practical, and can travel as far as a conventional petrol or diesel engine car, but the technology is very different. And importantly, the only thing that comes out of the exhaust is water vapour. Rather than having a petrol or diesel tank like a conventional car, the fuel cell car has a tank that stores compressed Hydrogen as a gas. Hydrogen is used as an energy carrier, so that the fuel cell car can produce its own electricity onboard, rather than storing it in batteries. This compressed Hydrogen is expanded and then fed into the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is like a tiny electric power station. Inside it, the Hydrogen combines with Oxygen from the air to generate electricity and water as a byproduct. Water vapour is the fuel cell car’s only emission. The electricity created inside the fuel cell stack is used to power the electric motor, which is, in turn, used to drive the car. The fuel cell stack is made up of hundreds of individual cells stacked together like a loaf of bread. In fact, each cell is like a sandwich, with a Membrane Electrode Assembly (or MEA) between two separators (or Bi-Polar plates). The MEA is made up of a Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM, which sits between Hydrogen …

Video Rating: 5 / 5

Filed Under: Fuel Cell Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

No Gas Just Water: water fuel, water gas, hydrogen technology, alternative fuel source

June 18, 2011 By

www-onlinesecrets.com No gas just water is a technology that fuels automobiles to run completely on water that has been converted into hydrogen which is ignited and injected into the engine. Using the water as fuel has long been mankind dream. Today that dream of water for fuel can no longer be ignored. This revolutionary technology is changing the way we look at things. A paradigm shift, if you will. This shift in popular viewpoint is getting words like hho, water fuel, water gas, run auto with water, and alternative fuel,perhaps not household words as of yet, but is still fueling and converting popularity.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Question by Baby boy born May 2011 <3: does anyone know anything about when the Honda hydrogen fuel cell will be available to the masses?

trying to save $ for a Prius, but i figure by the time i have money for that the Honda Hydrogen Fuel Cell will, hopefully, be open to the public. pretty much, by the time i save up for the Prius, the new Honda hydro. cell should be ready for release. does anyone know when it will be ready for the full public to use? any info that isn’t already on the site? i’d like to learn more about this car.

Best answer:

Answer by Justin84
i believe i saw it somewhere in a magazine that it would be available in 2010 2011 but there is something coming out to replace the honda fit as it is the last model year for it

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Filed Under: Hydrogen Fuel Tagged With: , , , , , ,

horizon fuel cell technology at ces 2010

June 6, 2011 By

horizon shows off their desktop hydrogen fuel cell at ces 2010

Video Rating: 4 / 5

If you are one of the many people who are looking to make some savings on gasoline, or are trying to find ways to increase gas mileage, then you have probably heard talk of hydrogen for cars and ways to build your own hydrogen generator car. And if you are anything like me, you probably thought that it all sounded ridiculous and a bit Sci Fi.

I first heard about hydrogen for cars a few months ago, and even though I was very sceptical about the whole thing I was so desperate to find ways to increase gas mileage for my car that I decided to do some research. Not only did I find out that building a hydrogen generator car is quite simple, I also found that you can actually buy “hydrogen car kits” with all the equipment needed to covert ordinary cars into hydrogen fuel cars.

Not only are there hydrogen car kits available on the market but you can also buy complete instruction manuals and guides that will show you step-by-step how to build your own hydrogen generator car. With simple parts that you can buy at your local garage or auto store and just some basic mechanical knowledge, it is possible for anyone to turn their cars into hydrogen fuel cars.

So how does a hydrogen generator car work?
In very simple terms these hydrogen fuel cars consist of a small container or vessel of water located under the hood of you car, added to this is a catalyst such as baking soda, and some stainless steel plates. These parts together with a few others are then wired up to your cars battery, which provides the electrical energy needed to power the whole thing.

Once all of this is installed in the correct way and is up and running it is possible to extract Hydrogen Oxygen (HHO) from the water with the use of electrolysis (a process where electricity is used to change water into HHO). This hydrogen gas is then taken into the airflow of the inlet manifold of your car; here it is mixed with the regular gasoline from your fuel tank and burnt in your engine in the usual manner.

As this mixture of gasoline and HHO burns a lot more efficiently and smoothly, it greatly improves your engine performance so giving you better fuel economy. In some cases a report of a 50% increase in MPG has been achieved. It has also been claimed that you get amore powerful response from your engine as well as a smoother ride.

It would seem that building your own hydrogen generator car is not only fairly simple, it is also very affordable. With all the parts needed available at your local garage for 0 or less, and with a host of instructional guides to show you exactly how to go about it, hydrogen fuel cars are definitely the way ahead for anyone looking for ways to increase gas mileage. So why not check it out for yourself, all it takes is a bit of research.

Filed Under: Hydrogen Fuel Tagged With: , , , ,

Ballard Fuel Cell Technology

June 5, 2011 By

default Ballard Fuel Cell Technology

Go to MYRIDE.COM for more car videos. Have you ever wondered how a fuel cell works? Watch this video from Ballard Power and learn how hydrogen fuel cells will power the cars of tomorrow.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

fuel cell power systems, fuel cell technology, fuel cell commercialization, fuel cells with hydrogen conversion from existing fuels

GEI Releases High-Temperature APU

GEI’s patented high temperature fuel cell stack design has flow field channel designs optimized for reformed fuels and incorporates a robust manifold design scalable from 2kw-10kw.

This allows a single design for a wide of range of power requirements without re-occurring engineering design cost and provides the scalability necessary for large volume commercialization to reduce manufacturing cost.

High-Temperature PEM (HT-PEM) Fuel Cells (160C) provide a balance between the operating characteristics and cost of LT-PEM fuel cells (80C), and the fuel diversity and fuel impurity tolerance of high temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The primary advantage of HT-PEM fuel cells is their tolerance of CO fuel impurities e.g. < 5% by volume, as compared to 0.02% by volume for LT-PEM fuel cells. As such, low temperature steam reforming (550C-600C) of logistic fuels does not require separate and expensive preferential oxidation reactors and membrane purifiers that increase cost and complexity. For cost sensitive applications requiring logistic fuels, HT-PEM fuel cells significantly reduce fuel processing equipment cost, weight, and size, while providing high-grade heat for combined heat and power (CHP) applications, and increased system efficiencies.

GEI’s stationary auxiliary HT-PEM fuel cell power system employing logistic fuels such as natural gas and bio-renewable fuels such as bio-ethane and bio-diesel. HT-PEM fuel cells provide a cost effective pathway for meeting large volume stationary fuel cell commercialization targets. This pathway includes fuel diversity and cost reductions through a focus on innovative systems integration of the fuel processor, HT-PEM fuel cell stack, balance-of-plant, and controls. The solution is also scalable to 10kW stationary HT-PEM fuel cell power systems.

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Hydrogen Fuel Cells-The Next Great Step In Fuel Saving Technology

October 9, 2010 By

The world in its run for progress and mechanization has almost exhausted all non-renewable energy sources that Mother Earth had provided. Global warming, depleted water sources and increased pollution have paused serious threat to the well-being of mankind. We are now looking desperately for renewable energy sources and alternate fuel. In our tryst the latest addition is hydrogen fuel cells. Developed as a part of the space program initially, more and more car manufacturers are now edging towards adopting Hydrogen Fuel Cells to power the cars.


What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?


The hydrogen fuel cell is same as our battery cells except for the fact that in case of hydrogen fuel cells the power is produced only when hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell. The electricity produced in hydrogen fuel cell is dependent on the rate of Hydrogen flow to the cell and also on size of the hydrogen fuel cell.


What are the advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?


Although along with electricity it produces heat and water, the hydrogen fuel cells produce a lot less heat than the traditional rod cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are a lot more efficient than the gasoline engines by about 20 to 30%.


These cells can be created in different sizes and as a result can be used to power smaller instruments like an MP3 player to factory buildings and towns.


For the automobile industries the biggest challenge today are its dependence on gasoline and the rate of pollution. Hydrogen fuel cells if used as internal combustion engines for cars can reduce the petroleum dependency and environmental pollution.


Not just for cars, hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power remote areas, provide electricity where roads have not yet been built and in general alleviate the living conditions. It can also be used as a portable source of energy.


It is estimated that hydrogen fuel cells may replace the traditional batteries all together in the next 50 to 100 years. If it has been successful in the space programs, it is quite evident that it will leave its mark in day-today life as well. Different government and environment agencies are also supporting the use of hydrogen fuel cells. However with all boons comes its accompanying bane. To produce hydrogen we need energy. Fossil fuels are widely used to produce that energy. Now as we all know fossil fuel too is a non-renewable energy source. So the need of the hour is a lot more research so that we can get hydrogen from a renewable energy source in order to power hydrogen fuel cells in generating electricity.


However there is no denying the fact that today we need such energy alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells that are customizable, can be used everywhere, can power anything from a small walkman to a town and the best of all reduces pollution and generated less heat. As we all know it is time that we do away with global warming!

Filed Under: Green Living Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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