Volta designed his pile by associating two different metals and liquid conducting electricity. He recognised the possibility of increasing the 'voltage' by placing cells in series (a pile). This invention led to a wonderful development of science and technology, including the concept of fuel cell in 1839 by GROVE. But efficient research began only in the 20th century after the development of electrochemical thermodynamics by Nernst. His assistants conducted research on carbon, air fuel cells with alkaline electrolyte. The results led to the H2/O2
alkaline fuel cell designed by Bacon before World War II, developed by NASA for the Apollo space flights. Research for efficient and clean electricity generation has led to the different kinds of fuel cells now under development (AFC, PAFC, PAMFC, MCFC and SOFC) which will be briefly described with their applications.
