The Power is On

Fuel cells, with their high efficiency, flexibility of usage and environmental sensitivity, are expected to become the dominant power-generating strategy of the next century. And UCI will play a key role in bringing that about.

Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center, and the metal oxide rods which are key to electrical energy production in UCI's newly installed fuel cell.

"It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime technology opportunities," says Professor Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at UCI, which opened in March 1997. "It's like being on the front end when the transistor was developed."

One cutting-edge fuel cell is already undergoing testing at the center, and by next year four types of fuel cells are scheduled to be installed on campus. Fuel cells are expected to be an eclipsing technology for generating electricity and for future automobile "engines."

An important role of the center will be to facilitate the introduction of fuel cells into the international market. "We'll encourage the marketplace to come in, ask questions and operate the systems to help develop confidence in this new technology," Samuelsen said.

UCI Journal, Winter 1998