Fuel Cell

In order for a tiny shoebox-sized car to go a certain distance, it first requires power. However, the competition requires our car to be powered through a combination of chemical reactions and renewable energy. To achieve this goal, we have created a fuel cell team in charge of conducting research and creating a functioning hydrogen fuel cell for our car. This is done through a simple sodium hydroxide and aluminum reaction, which produces the hydrogen that is subsequently used as the fuel for our cell. Then, the hydrogen is stored in a balloon. By connecting the balloon to our fuel cell and allowing the gas to run through it, the fuel cell generates current which in turn provides us with ample power! Our fuel cell team then collaborates with the electrical team in order to fix a set amount of electrical power that drives our motor, and with it, the rest of the car. Through researching hydrogen fuel cells, the team learns about sustainable methods of producing energy, and also allows them to apply chemistry knowledge outside of the classroom.