📘 Introduction
Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs) are one of the oldest types of hydrogen fuel cells. They use an alkaline electrolyte—usually potassium hydroxide—to split hydrogen and oxygen into water while generating electricity. AFCs were famously used in the Apollo space missions, and now they’re resurfacing in the race toward clean power systems.
💡 What It Means
High efficiency at lower operating temperatures compared to other fuel cells.
Particularly good for space, backup, and military applications.
Uses non-precious metal catalysts, making it cheaper than PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells.
Produces pure water as a byproduct—an advantage in closed-loop systems.
⚠️ Key Challenges
Very sensitive to carbon dioxide (CO₂)—even small amounts can degrade performance.
Requires very pure hydrogen and oxygen, increasing cost and complexity.
Mostly suitable for controlled environments, limiting widespread deployment.
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🦁 Muzaffar’s Comment
This is the OG of hydrogen tech. The fact that NASA used AFCs to power space missions should tell us everything. If we can solve the CO₂ sensitivity problem, I see a real niche for AFCs in developing decentralized power systems for homes and off-grid tech.
🦉 Sameer’s Comment
It’s wild to think that something developed decades ago might still play a part in the hydrogen future. I’m curious—what’s the latest innovation here? Could new materials or hybrid systems make AFCs relevant again at scale?
