Dr FuelCell™ Professional

Grades 11-12

The Professional Series teaches fundamental principles of chemistry and physics through solar-hydrogen fuel cell technology. Large, vertically mounted components and easy to read displays are ideal for large group or classroom presentations. Perfect on it's own or in conjunction with the Dr FuelCell™ Science Kit.

This package offers twenty-five hands on experiments for introductory and advanced high-school courses in chemistry, physics, and environmental science, as well as demonstrating the sustainable benefits of fuel cells and hydrogen technology.

How it works

The solar module converts radiant energy into electrical energy to power the electrolyzer. The electrolyzer breaks water into its basic constituents of hydrogen and oxygen. These gases are stored in the graduated cylinders. When electrical power is required, the PEM fuel cell recombines the stored gases to form water, and release heat and electricity.

Designed for grades 11 to 12 Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and Environmental sciences. Easy to set up, easy to use, and requires no additional chemicals.

Models & Configuration

There are two basic bundles to choose from, each designed for your specific requirements:

Dr FuelCell™ Professional - Complete: includes solar panel, PEM electrolyzer, PEM fuel cell, Load Measurement Module, Display Meters, CD-ROM (Video, PowerPoint) and a 4-Volume Lesson Book Set.
Dr FuelCell™ Professional - Demo: same as in complete version, but without the Dismanteable or Methanol Fuel cell extension kits.

For complete details on components included in each kit please refer to the downloadable catalogue or datasheet.

Component Descriptions

Included in the package:

Solar Panel

Used to power the electrolyzer and can be tilted to vary the incident angle of the light source

PEM Electrolyzer

A high-performance PEM electrolyzer, with 65 ml graduated cylinders for gas storage.
Requires no chemicals for operation, only distilled water (a solid electrolyte is contained within the electrolyzer membrane).

2 PEM Fuel Cells

Can connect in series or parallel
Standard Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)

Load Measurement Module

Contains 10-position variable resistance, lamp and motor
Measure Voltage and Current

Display Meters

Current and voltage meter with large LCD display.

Hydrogen Technology & Fuel Cell Science Book Package – 4 Volumes

A 4-volume set of lesson books covering key curriculum topics of Chemistry, Electrical and Physics, presented through student inquiry activities and written assignments.
A total of 25 experiments and 19 readings, in three volumes. The fourth volume presents background information on fuel cell and hydrogen technology.
Includes 4 Volumes:

Energy through Hydrogen
Science through Hydrogen
Chemistry through Hydrogen
Physics through Hydrogen

CDROM – Clean Energy for the Future

Provides teaching great introductory resources about fuel cells in easy to use formats. Ideal for the introduction of fuel cell technology, fuel cell technology overview
Includes Power-Point Presentation, 8-Minute MPEG on the industry and science of fuel cells and set-up video of equipment
Correlations of lesson books to the National, California, BC and Ontario Science Standards,

Also includes:

Stopwatch, tubes, cables, 550 mm panel frame

Difference between this product and the Dr FuelCell™ Professional - Demo:

This version does include Display Meters

Add-On Suggestions:

For a more complete classroom experience please consider using this product in combination with the Dr FuelCell™ Science Kit and the Dr FuelCell™ Model Car for hands-on student investigations.

Topics covered and Investigation

Please Download the Datasheet above for Complete details

Our lesson books have been written and designed by teachers to accompany the use of our hydrogen fuel cell science products in your classroom. The four volume resource pack can also be used as an excellent standalone reference. General features include, experiments, written assignments and extensive background information, including many real life examples of fuel cell applications.

All materials have been correlated to the National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks For Science Literacy, as well as some individual state and provincial curriculum’s.

Experiments include guides for both students and teachers. The student guides provide suggestions for experiment planning and evaluation, and highlight the appropriate scientific principles of the lesson. The teacher guides offer specific information on lesson objectives, experiment set-up and desired learning outcomes. Experiments can be carried out individually or in groups.

Comprehension and composition skills are targeted with extended readings and written answer questions. Written assignment activities are set in the topical context of hydrogen technology and energy sustainability. Teamwork skills are encouraged through debate and discussion exercises.

Topics Covered

Teach concepts such as: Electrolysis, Faraday's Laws, Avogadro constant, Rates of reactions, Efficiency, energy conversion, current and charge flow, energy and environment, redox reactions (oxidation & reduction), reversible reactions, power and efficiency, parallel & series circuits, current & charge flow, electrical characteristic curves, solar cells.

4 - Volume Lesson Book Set:

A 4-volume set of lesson books covering key curriculum topics of General Science, Chemistry, and Physics presented through student inquiry activities and written assignments. A total of 25 experiments and 19 readings, in three volumes. The fourth volume presents background information on fuel cell and hydrogen technology.

Includes 4 Volumes:

Energy through Hydrogen Item no.361E
Science through Hydrogen Item no.362E
Chemistry through Hydrogen Item no.363E
Physics through Hydrogen Item no.364E

Use the books in combination with the “Science Kit “ or “Professional” for a complete learning experience and a wide range of experiments.

Product Overview

With teachers time at a premium, each lesson is designed so that it can be prepared in a short period of time, even by those unfamiliar with fuel cells and hydrogen technology. You can easily integrate these Science and Technology lessons into your classroom through student experiments and written assignments. Use the lesson books with the Dr FuelCell™ Science Kit or Dr FuelCell™ Professional and your students will have fun learning and be excited with hopes of a greener future. Details include:

Teacher Guides - offer specific information regarding learning objectives of each experiment and provides details of the experiment setup.
Student Guides - designed to guide students in planning, undertaking and evaluating the experiment, enabling them to investigate scientific principles. These may be undertaken individually or in groups, as part of ongoing experimental work or may form a more substantial practical investigation for formal assessment.
Written Assignments - target comprehension and literacy skills by offering extended reading and questions requiring critical thinking and comprehensive written answers. All activities are set in the topical context of solar hydrogen technology and energy sustainability. They are designed as photocopy-ready homework sheets with each one designed as a self-contained unit to be used in any order you decide

Sample Experiments

Hydrogen as an energy carrier.
Investigating the electrolysis of water - How does water break up?
Determine the Avogadro's Constant using an electrolyser or a fuel cell.
Determine the energy efficiency of a fuel cell using Faraday's Law.
Investigate parallel and series circuits.

Sample Written Assignments

Pollution - a necessary evil?
Electric cars - battery or fuel cell driven?
Hydrogen - the fuel of the future?

NOTE: For more details please review the individual product descriptions of each volume in the set. See download above for the Lesson Book details.

Technical Specifications

Solar module

Dimensions ( L x W x H )
8 ” x 115/8” x 4” (200 x 297 x 10 0 mm)
Voltage at maximum power point - 2.0 VDC
Maximum current - 1.2 A
Power output - 1.6 W

Electrolyzer

Dimensions ( L x W x H )
8 ” x 115/8” x 31/2” (200 x 297 x 9 0 mm)
Power consumption - 7 W
Voltage -1.4 - 1.8 V
Maximum Current - 4 A
Storage volume of hydrogen and oxygen
65 ml each
Hydrogen production rate
max. 28ml/min

Fuel cell

Dimensions ( L x W x H )
8 ” x 115/8” x 4” (200 x 297 x 10 0 mm)
Open circuit voltage (both cells in series )
1.9 VDC
Maximum current (both cells in parallel) 4 A
Maximum power (both cells in parallel) 2.5 W

Load box

Dimensions ( L x W x H )
4 ” x 115/8” x 31/2” (100 x 297 x 90 mm)
10-position variable resistance
0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 ohm
Motor operating voltage - 0.2 - 3 V
Motor current - 10-15 mA
Lamp operating voltage 1.5 VDC
Lamp current 80 mA

Display meters

Dimensions ( L x W x H )
8 ” x 115/8” x 4” (200 x 297 x 10 0 mm)
LCD height 1” (25 mm)
Voltmeter ranges 0 - 2 V and 0 - 20 V
Ammeter ranges 0 - 2 A and 0 - 20 A
Internal resistance 10 M ohm
Required power supply 9 – 12 V D C power supply, with 1/8” phono plug, positive (+) tip

Climatic conditions