Context

Researchers at the University of Kerala have devised an eco-friendly fuel cell that generates power mainly using air and seawater.

Seawater as fuel? – Kerala University Researchers Develop Fuel from Air and Seawater

• Publication of Technology in International Journal: Details of the ‘Air breathing Magnesium – Copper / Cupric Oxide Fuel Cell‘ have appeared in the peer-reviewed international publication ‘Journal of Engineering and Applied Science’ recently.
• Potential Replacement of Lithium-ion batteries: The technology used is expected to be disruptive as Lithium-ion batteries which are the present market leaders are set to be overtaken by Magnesium based fuel cells that deliver higher power output.

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Air Breathing Magnesium- Sodium Chloride Based Fuel Cell

• About:  A semiconducting layer of Cupric Oxide grown over Copper substrate was used in a Magnesium- Sodium Chloride based fuel cell. 
• Cost Effective: In this fuel cell,  semiconductor material has been used for air cathode systems making the cell cost effective as compared to use of expensive chemical element Platinum around the world.
• Environment Friendly: The fuel cell is promoted as environmentally friendly since it operates by utilizing air for breathing and saline water as fuel. 
• During its operation, the cell generates only electricity and heat, emitting only water as a byproduct.

What is a Fuel Cell?

• About: A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion. 
  • In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to generate electricity, heat, and water. 
• Advantages: Fuel cell systems are a clean, efficient, reliable, and quiet source of power. Fuel cells do not need to be periodically recharged like batteries, but instead continue to produce electricity as long as a fuel source is provided. 
• Applications: Providing power to homes and businesses, keeping critical facilities like hospitals, grocery stores, and data centers up and running, and moving a variety of vehicles including cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, trains, and more.