Image Library - Engineering and Transportation

Assistant U.S. Secretary of Energy David Garman (left) watches as Argonne's Advanced Powertrain Test Facility engineers track a car being tested on the dynamometer behind the glass. Argonne National Laboratory photo.

This Argonne-developed reformer releases hydrogen from commonly available fuels to power fuel cells in cars. Argonne's Shabbir Ahmed (left) explains the reformer to U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill. Argonne National Laboratory photo.

A critical measure of a fuel cell's usefulness is its power output at various electrical loads when supplying fuel (anode gas) and oxidant (cathode gas) to the cell. A new fuel cell developed at Argonne, called TuffCell, provides mechanical strength, easy fabrication and increased performance. Argonne chemist Laura Miller prepares the TuffCell sample for testing. Chemist Cecile Rossignol works in the background. Argonne National Laboratory photo.

Argonne has developed TuffCell, a solid-oxide fuel cell to be used as an auxiliary power unit. Chemical engineer Joong-Myeon Bae works with a TuffCell sample. Argonne National Laboratory photo.

Argonne's fuel processor turns petroleum-based fuels, such as gasoline, into hydrogen plus carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The carbon monoxide is then converted into additional hydrogen plus sulfur and carbon dioxide and the sulfur is removed, leaving only traces of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The hydrogen powers each of several fuel cells, which make electricity to power the vehicle. The emissions are carbon dioxide and a small amount of water. Argonne National Laboratory image.

Jack Picciolo holds a sample of the Argonne-developed ceramic membrane material for hydrogen production. Argonne National Laboratory photo.

Hydrogen powers fuel cells, such as this one in Argonne 's Fuel Cell Test Facility. Chemical engineer Sara Yu and engineering specialist Edward Polzin are testing this fuel-cell stack. Argonne National Laboratory photo.