Conclusions
When will fuel cells take their rightful place among the prominent energy sources in the 21st century? The benefits of fuel cells are undeniable. The quiet, clean, and reliable nature of their operation and the efficiency with which energy is produced make fuel cells prime candidates for the soon-to-be vacancy atop the energy hierarchy left by fossil fuels. Many hurdles stand in the way of their ascendance however. The high expense when compared to other energy sources, the need for time to warm-up and pressure for efficient operation, the lifetime of the cell as a whole, and the potential for the poisoning of the sensitive catalysts are all issues standing in the way of integration of fuel cell technology into the energy systems of the nation. Technological advances are limiting these problems across the board. For example, improved, less expensive conducting materials now allow the newest fuel cells to work at higher temperatures and generate more power per volume, both of which lower costs. According to fuel cell vehicle experts, the future of fuel cells in vehicles is not far off: "By the second decade of this century, mass production of automotive fuel cells will result in a glut in the world oil supply and then in a total rejection of oil as a vehicle fuel" (see Fuel Cells 2000). If these predictions are any indication, it seems we need only wait a decade to see fuel cells revolutionize the nation's energy infrastructure.
