Job Title - Fuel Cell Engineer, designs, evaluates, modifies, or constructs fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications. Fuel cell is a source of energy that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It uses hydrogen and an oxidant to create electrical energy using electrochemical process.
Fuel Cell Engineers typically do the following:
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.
Potential Employers - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Manufacturing, Utilities, and more.
Education - Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Salary - $50,000 - $120,000/year
Future - The overall job outlook for Fuel Cell Engineers has been positive since 2004. Vacancies for this career have increased by 8.01 percent nationwide in that time, with an average growth of 1.34 percent per year. Demand for Fuel Cell Engineers is expected to go up, with an expected 18,700 new jobs filled by this year. This represents an annual increase of 1.00 percent over the next few years.
Fuel cell is a clean source of energy. After the electrochemical process that creates electricity, the by-product from a fuel cell is water. Hydrogen is high in energy, yet an engine that burns pure hydrogen produces almost no pollution. NASA has used liquid hydrogen since the 1970s to propel the space shuttle and other rockets into orbit. Hydrogen fuel cells power the shuttle's electrical systems, producing a clean byproduct - pure water, which the crew drinks.
As humans explore options for sustainable energy sources, Fuel Cell is considered a strong contender among the other renewable sources of energy.
** Source - Onet Online