Fuel Cell Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A fuel cell engineer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Most of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels. However, the amount of fossil fuels is finite, and many people are concerned about where our energy will come from in the future. We can turn to alternative, renewable sources of fuel, such as our sun (solar energy) and the winds (wind energy). But what happens when the sun doesn't shine or the winds don't blow? Would we be stuck? Well, that is where the fuel cell comes in. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that generates electricity through a reaction between a fuel, like hydrogen, and an oxidant, like oxygen. This reaction produces few greenhouse gas emissions other than water or water vapor. The job of the fuel cell engineer is to design new fuel cell technology that improves the reliability, functionality, and efficiency of the fuel cell. Do you like the idea of using your math and science skills to work on mankind's future energy needs? Then start "fueling your future" and read more about this career.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Fuel Cell Engineer?

1. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
2. Systems Analysis: ? Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
4. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
5. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

6. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
7. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
8. Systems Evaluation: ? Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
9. Time Management: ? Managing one's own time and the time of others.
10. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Fuel Cell Engineer might do:

• Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
• Design or implement fuel cell testing or development programs.
• Write technical reports or proposals related to engineering projects.
• Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
• Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
• Calculate the efficiency or power output of a fuel cell system or process.
• Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
• Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
• Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
• Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
• Develop fuel cell materials or fuel cell test equipment.
• Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
• Simulate or model fuel cell, motor, or other system information, using simulation software programs.
• Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
• Fabricate prototypes of fuel cell components, assemblies, stacks, or systems.
• Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
• Design fuel cell systems, subsystems, stacks, assemblies, or components, such as electric traction motors or power electronics.
• Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
• Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
• Develop or evaluate systems or methods of hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications.
• Evaluate the power output, system cost, or environmental impact of new hydrogen or non-hydrogen fuel cell system designs.