Nissan developing fuel cells to generate electricity without combustion

engineering careers  Nissan developing fuel cells to generate electricity without combustion

Nissan hopes to revolution the automotive sector by developing e-Bio Fuel-Cell with an SOFC power generator – allowing its cars to produce electricity without combustion

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Nissan’s Japanese engineers are said to be developing a Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered system which could run on electricity generated from bio-ethanol. A first for the automotive industry.

How Solid Oxide Fuel-Cells Work?

Unlike other types of fuel cells, Solid Oxide Fuel-Cells require no precious metals, corrosive acids, or molten materials. Instead their anode and cathode are made from special inks that coat the electrolyte, allowing for an electrochemical reaction that can convert fuel and air into energy, specifically electricity without combustion.

Nissan system uses e-Bio Fuel-Cell with an SOFC power generator. This means, unlike conventional systems it offers better power efficiency which should give the vehicle cruising ranges similar to a petrol-powered car.

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It also means, like an electric car, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell car’s electric drive features a silent drive, fast acceleration and linear start-up. Promoting the best of current electric vehicles whilst extending the vehicle’s range.

Nissan are promoting system as carbon neutral. Stating that CO2 emissions are neutralised from the growing process of sugarcane which produces the fuel-cell.