Francis Bacon

1) Who are they?

Francis Bacon

2) What did they do or accomplish?

Bacon developed the world’s first practical hydrogen fuel cell.

3) How did they apply chemistry to do it?

First experiments using a platinum gauze as catalyst quickly gave way to activated nickel electrodes separated by a pure asbestos cloth. The electrolyte was aqueous potassium hydroxide, operating at high pressures and over 100°C. He initially devised a reversible cell which would first split the water into hydrogen and oxygen and then in the same cell recombine the gases to produce electricity, y, though it was not long before he modified the design to a two-cell system where the electricity was generated in a separate chamber to the hydrogen production.

4) Why did it change the world?

“The Bacon cell was ideal” and was a great influence on the space race. It was used in developing a practical source of electricity. Unlike heat engines whose efficiency falls with decreasing load, that of the fuel cell rises so it was possible by restricting electrical loading to operate at 75% thermal efficiency. Additionally, the by-product water could be used for drinking and humidifying the atmosphere of the space capsule.” This was a huge deal at the time. It was like a breakthrough for all of the people coming together on the U.S. space race.

5) What impressed you most about what you read?

I was impressed that Bacon would perform experiments at home on his coffee table. The experiments went well but the chemicals, high pressures, and high temperatures made home not the best environment. I was also impressed that Bacon’s experiment took his work all the way to the moon. Engineers relied on his finding and research and trusted his methods enough to revolve an entire space mission around it. Without Bacon’s work, the space race wouldn't have been as successful as it was.