Voltaic cell Program

A fuel cell is a voltaic cell in which a fuel, usually hydrogen, is oxidized at the anode. At the cathode, oxygen is reduced. The reaction taking place in the alkaline fuel cells used in the space program since the 1960s is... 

The concept of using an ion-exchange membrane as an electrolyte in electrochemical cells was first introduced by Grubb in 1959. Since then, extensive research and development programs have been undertaken by the General Electric Company and others,resulting in the present solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) cells in which Nafion serves as the sole electrolyte as well as separator. High voltaic efficiency can be achieved in SPE cells because of the minimum contact resistance between electrode and separator. 

As efficiencies of power conversion are begining to catch up those of dry photo-voltaics, several authors have claimed that economically viable liquid-junction cells which challenge solid-state cells will become feasible. An economic analysis based on standardized procedures was published recently . It is claimed that liquid-junction cells have already at the time being the potential to meet and exceed the goal required for 1986 by the U.S. National Photovoltaic Program of a cost of 50 per peak watt, cf. Ref. . 

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