Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius
Reviewed by Robert Pritchett
Author: Gavin D.J.
Harper
Publisher: TAB
Electronics
http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?cat=113&isbn=0071496599
Released: April
25, 2008
Pages: 196
$25 USD, $31 CND, £15 GBP, € Euro
ISBN-13: 9780071496599
Audience: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced |
|
Strengths: Offers a wide variety of fuel cell
technologies to work with.
Weaknesses: Pitifully lax regarding cautions about dealing with toxic materials. |
Introduction
Go green as you amass
power! Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil
Genius broadens your knowledge of this
important, rapidly developing technology and shows you how to build practical,
environmentally conscious projects using the three most popular and widely accessible
fuel cells!
In Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius, high-tech guru Gavin Harper gives you everything you
need to conduct practical experiments and build energizing fuel cell projects.
You'll find complete, easy-to-follow plans that feature clear diagrams and
schematics, as well as:
- Instructions for
fascinating sustainable energy projects, complete with 180 how-to illustrations
- Explanations of how fuel
cells work and why the hydrogen economy will impact our lives in the near
future
- Frustration-factor
removal-all the needed parts are listed, along with sources
- Science fair project ideas
that are on the cutting edge of the latest technological developments
- Fuel Cell Projects for
the Evil Genius gives you complete
plans, instructions, parts lists, and sources to:
o Understand how hydrogen
could meet our energy needs in a post-carbon economy
o Build a fuel cell car to
race against your friends
o Build an intelligent fuel
cell car which autonomously drives
o Build a simple fuel cell
using adhesive bandages
o Hydrogen fuel your iPod
o Have a hydrogen
barbecue-cook your food with zero carbon emissions!
o Discover how the amounts of hydrogen supplied to fuel
cells affect the amounts of electricity produced
What I Learned
I found this book to be much better than the one I reviewed
last month on Solar Energy for the Evil Genius. I learned about the various
kinds of fuel cell technologies available today and how I could make many of
them myself.
In 2008 the author has not really tempered his "Global
Warming™ Mantra (2008 has been the coldest year of the 21st Century
so far worldwide).
Other than that, I really enjoyed sharing the information in
this book at the Tesla Conference when discussing Hydroxy generation, the Moe
Joe Cell, and Moray King's presentation on Hydrogen systems with other
attendees.
The "band-aid" fuel cell was an inspiration.
My only concern was while reading about electrolytes and
catalysts, there was precious little (if any) about protecting yourself from
caustics.
Conclusion
This is an excellent book on learning as much as possible on
the topic in a "lab" environment. It got me excited about such things
as the "Formula Zero" go-kart hydrogen race competition in Rotterdam,
Netherlands that occurred in August.
Recommendation
If speaking with other Tesla Conference attendees is any
indication, this book is a seller and a keeper.
