Fuel cell using a hydrogen generation system
A system is described for storing and generating hydrogen and, in particular, a system for storing and generating hydrogen for use in an H 2 /O 2 fuel cell. The hydrogen storage system uses beta particles from a beta particle emitting material to degrade an organic polymer material to release substantially pure hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, beta particles from 63 Ni are used to release hydrogen from linear polyethylene.
1. A fuel cell, comprising:
a hydrogen generating system comprising an organic polymer material in combination with a beta particle emitting material selected from the list consisting essentially of 35 S, 45 Ca and 63 Ni; and
a membrane electrode assembly in communication with the hydrogen generating system.
2. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the membrane electrode assembly comprises two spaced apart electrodes having a hydrogen transport medium disposed therebetween.
3. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen transport medium is a proton exchange membrane.
4. The fuel cell of claim 1 , further comprising an oxygen scavenging material dispersed therein.
5. The fuel cell of claim 4 , wherein the oxygen scavenging material is a cobalt salt.
6. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the organic polymer material is an olefinic polymer.
7. The fuel cell of claim 6 , wherein the olefinic polymer is linear polyethylene.
8. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the beta particle emitting material is in the form of submicron particles.
9. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein an amount of 35 S, 45 Ca or 63 Ni in combination with the organic polymer material is at least 1% by volume of the organic polymer material.