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What is Fuel Cell Technology? In today?s ever-changing world, the scientific world is constantly in search of new better ways to use energy. New technology brings us new forms of fuel, and one of the most interesting new sources of energy is the fuel cell. Fuel cells are defined as devices that convert chemical energy to electrical energy by using a fuel and an oxidizer (a substance that removes electrons in a chemical reaction (World Book, 457). Fuel cells offer efficient power, are less polluting than gasoline or other forms of fuel, and provide a more convenient source of power than traditional batteries, but are not likely enter the mainstream for some time due to cost and lack of accessibility to the average consumer. A fuel cell provides a direct current voltage that can be used to power motors, lights or any number of electrical appliances. There are several types of fuel cells, and each uses a different chemistry. Fuel cells are usually classified by the type of electrolyte that they use. Some type of fuel cells show promise for use in power generation plants, while others may be useful for powering cars or in small portable electronics. If a fuel cell is powered with pure hydrogen, it has the potential to be up to 80 percent efficient, and compared to the 20 percent of efficiency that a gasoline powered engine may achieve, fuel cell advances are something that we should continue to look for in the future (HowStuffWorks, 3).