Functional principle of a fuel cell

Fuel cells work in a similar way to batteries. A chemical reaction between anode and cathode produces energy. Hydrogen and oxygen are the necessary substances for the chemical reaction in the fuel cell.
The idea is simple: A separating layer - a membrane - separates two electrodes into two half spaces. Hydrogen flows into one; oxygen into the other.
The hydrogen is split into its components: two electrons and two protons. The protons are channeled through the membrane into the other half space into which oxygen flows. The electrons are diverted through an electric circuit to reach the oxygen on the other side where there is a shortage of electrons. Water is then produced from the protons, electrons and oxygen.
The circuit’s voltage is around 1.2 volts - about as much as in a small torch battery. Just as torch batteries can be connected in series to generate higher voltages, so it is possible with fuel cells. They need to be stacked on top of each other, which is called a “fuel cell stack”.
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