As scientists continue to research alternative energy sources for cars, Cass Junior High School students are getting hands-on experience with fuel cell-powered vehicles, scaled down of course.

A hydrogen fuel cell works by separating electrons and protons from the fuel, and forcing the electrons to travel through a circuit, making electricity. This exotic leading edge technology is starting to take off with major automobile makers as an alternative to gasoline powered vehicles.

Students already are learning the trials and  tribulations of hydrogen fuel cells. Five students will take part in the regional fuel cell vehicle competition from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Cass Junior High School, 8502 Bailey Road, Darien. Twenty five schools will compete to see which team can get its car down a 10-foot track first.
Cass science teacher Katie Girardot, who heads the team for the fourth year, said the burgeoning technology is very temperamental.

“Last year, the majority of teams had problems with their cars. I think only a couple actually ran,” she said. “You never know, sometimes all of them will finish, sometimes none of them will.”

The actual fuel cell, which is a small cube, costs about $200 to $300, but Argonne National Laboratory sponsored the team this year. Usually, teams compete at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, but this year the event will be held locally.
Jose Lopez, a member of the build team, said he thought the whole project was fun, and he would not mind pursuing more science in high school. However, he is somewhat skeptical of his vehicle’s performance.

“We got it to run for five seconds the other day,” he said. “But, it only has to run for 10 feet.”

Team member Jake Hagen said he liked the project as a whole, but the design was difficult.

“We had to start from nothing and build up,” he said.
Girardot said weight is crucial in the making of the car.
“It’s all about efficiency. The less weight, the less power is needed, and the faster it can go.”

She believes hydrogen fuel cells really are a viable alternative to gasoline.

“It’s one of the most abundant elements, and the only byproduct is water vapor. I think the only thing stopping us is price and availability of fuel, and both of those will adjust as the technology progresses,” she said.