The fuel cell is an energy conversion device, in which the energy stored in fuel and oxidant is transformed into electricity and heat energy via electrochemical reactions. It has the advantage of high energy transform efficiency, low noise and environmental friendliness. It can also achieve energy supply diversity. The energy and environment are the vital foundations for the sustainable development. With the development of the human society, the upcoming exhaustion of fossil energy, the deteriorating environment pollution trend, and energy security have become critical issues concerning a country's safety. According to an estimate of experts, the human society will gradually enter the age of hydrogen-based economy as fossil energy will be exhausted within 30 to 40 years. For this reason, the developed countries, such as the US, the EU and Japan, have drafted their own national roadmaps for an economy based on hydrogen and fuel cells. The US government has also worked out a series of plans for the transition to a hydrogen economy. In April 2004, the US initiated a "Freedom CAR" project to support the development of fuel-cell powered cars at a low cost and in mass production. Other aims of this project include supporting the national hydrogen infrastructure construction, reducing oil consumption and alleviating the environmental pollution. Its final goal is to free the whole country from its heavy dependence on imported oil and its prevalent pollutant discharge, provide individuals with a selection of alternative powered cars and guarantee the nation's energy security. In 2003, the US government launched a "Freedom Fuel" project to finance the research on fuel cells and hydrogen energy. The project will also support the transition plan to the hydrogen economy and fuel cell demonstration projects with an investment of 1.7 billion US dollars on fuel cells and hydrogen technology in five years. In addition, the US Senate passed an energy bill in June 2003, providing 3 billion US dollars for funding the further development of hydrogen energy and fuel cells.
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