题目内容
For years, the automobile industry has been testing vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel. Now, people across the United States have had a chance to see and even drive cars that get power from hydrogen fuel cells (燃料电池).
But the hydrogen fuel cell is not a new idea. The fuel cell was first invented by Sir William Grove of Britain in 1839. Since then, many different designs, have been invented. There is one place where fuel cells are a proven technology: in space. The American space agency used fuel cells in its Apollo spaceships in the twentieth century.
The most useful fuel cell for transportation purposes is the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, or P.E.M. fuel cell. It is simple and can operate at temperatures of sixty to eighty degrees Celsius. That is much lower than other fuel cell designs. A P.E.M. fuel cell has two sides divided by a thin membrane (膜). Hydrogen gas is forced through one side where it comes in contact with a reactive material containing the metal platinum(铂). The membrane separates the electrons(电子) from the protons(质子) in the hydrogen atoms. The protons pass through it to the other side of the fuel cell. But the electrons are captured to do work; like powering a motor. Oxygen from the air is forced into the other side of the fuel cell. There, the gas meets the protons that have passed through the membrane. They combine to form water and heat. A single fuel cell does not produce a lot of electricity. But when many fuel cells are combined, they can produce enough electricity to power a vehicle. The product of the chemical reaction that powers fuel cells is water. This makes fuel cells a very clean technology.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been slow to develop because of many technical problems that have to be solved. For example, it is unclear how long the membranes in P.E.M. fuel cells will last. Also, fuel cells need water for their chemical reactions. They must be designed to start easily at low temperatures and in dry climates. And smaller, less costly fuel cells must be designed before they can truly take the place of gasoline engines. Now more models of fuel cell vehicles are being tested than ever before. The threat of climate change and the high cost of oil have increased interest in these vehicles that do not cause pollution.
Title |
More Models of Hydrogen Cars Being Tested |
The progress of hydrogen fuel cell |
·(1) ________ by Sir William Grove in 1839. ·Designed (2) ________ ever since. ·Used in Apollo spaceships in the twentieth century. |
Operating principle of P.E.M. |
·It has two sides divided by a thin membrane. ·Hydrogen gas from one side (3) ________ the active metal platinum. ·The electrons are (4) ________ from the protons in the hydrogen atoms. ·The protons pass through the fuel cell to the other side. ·Oxygen from the air is (5) ________ into the other side of the fuel cell. ·The gas meets the protons,and then water and heat are(6) ________ |
Reasons for slow (7) ________of hydrogen fuel cell cars |
·There are many technical problems (8) ________ ·The durability of the membranes in P.E.M. fuel cells is not clear. ·They have to start easily at (9)________ temperatures and in dry climates. ·They must be smaller and less costly before (10) ________ gasoline engines. |
Invented
differently
meets
separated
forced
formed
development
unsolved
low
Replacing
【解析】略