Introduction

Every year we see a constant increase in the need for energy. Whereas most ofthis is supplied by large, fixed location units, i.e. power stations anddistribution networks, there is a market for smaller, units which can befixed, portable, or even self-propelling. Much of this need is supplied byproducts such as generators and vehicle engines, but this places a constantdemand on the fossil fuel supply. One potential alternative is the fuelcell.

Conventional fuel cells offer a possible (and partial) solution to thisproblem, allowing the direct production of electricity from the chemicalreaction of a suitable fuel with oxygen obtained from the atmosphere. Themost common type of fuel cell uses hydrogen, but this is of course a gas andhighly explosive, with the storage and transport challenges this entails.Another common series of fuel cells utilize methanol, and other cells havebeen developed that run on other fuels such as hydrocarbons [1,2]. Thesestill, however, utilize highly flammable liquids and are often reliant on afossil fuel supply. Moreover, many of these cells use expensive materialssuch as platinum as catalysts.

There is a wide range of common organic products, often waste products, thatcontain large amounts of stored energy which could potentially be used tosupply energy. Common methods include incineration, but a much moreattractive approach would be to use these materials as fuels in fuelcells.