fuel cell
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GC: n

CT: Fuel cells cleanly and efficiently convert chemical energy from hydrogen-rich fuels into electrical power and usable high quality heat in an electrochemical process that is virtually absent of pollutants.
Similar to a battery, a fuel cell is comprised of many individual cells that are grouped together to form a fuel cell stack. Each individual cell contains an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte layer. When a hydrogen-rich fuel such as clean natural gas or renewable biogas enters the fuel cell stack, it reacts electrochemically with oxygen (i.e. ambient air) to produce electric current, heat and water. While a typical battery has a fixed supply of energy, fuel cells continuously generate electricity as long as fuel is supplied.

S: http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/why-fuelcell-energy/how-do-fuel-cells-work/ (last access: 27 February 2015)

N: 1. fuel (n). c.1200, feuel, feul “fuel, material for burning,” also figurative, from Old French foaille “fuel for heating,” from Medieval Latin legal term focalia “right to demand material for making fire, right of cutting fuel,” from classical Latin focalia “brushwood for fuel,” from neuter plural of Latin focalis “pertaining to a hearth,” from focus “hearth, fireplace”. Figurative use from 1570s. Of food, as fuel for the body, 1876. As “combustible liquid for an internal combustion engine” from 1886. A French derivative is fouailler “woodyard.” Fuel-oil is from 1882.
cell (n): Middle English, from Old English, religious house and Anglo-French celle hermit’s cell, from Latin cella small room; akin to Latin celare to conceal — more at hell.
First Known Use: 12th century.
2. An electrochemical cell in which the energy of a reaction between a fuel, such as liquid hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as liquid oxygen, is converted directly and continuously into electrical energy.
3. fuel cell: term recommended by the Terminology Committee and standardized by the Validation Committee of the Sustainable Mobility Glossary.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=fuel+cell&searchmode=none (last access: 27 February 2015); MW – http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell (last access: 27 February 2015). 2 & 3. TERMIUMPLUS.

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CR: electrical energy, energy, hydrogen refuelling station.