"For training purposes, we plan on purchasing a $20,000 hydrogen-powered fuel cell," said Sam Williams, LIT's vice president for academic affairs. "The college is also purchasing a $2,300 fuel cell demonstration unit that will be used in training and for educating the public on this technology."

Fuel Cell Technology

A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process.

Because hydrogen is domestically available in abundant quantities as a component of natural gas, coal and even water, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that fuel cell technology could reduce the nation's demand for foreign petroleum by over 11 million barrels per day by 2040.

As early as 1839, William Grove discovered the basic operating principle of fuel cells by reversing water electrolysis to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. It was not until the beginnings of space travel that fuel cells saw their first practical application in generating electric power (and drinking water) in the Gemini and Apollo programs.

Today, there is a growing market for alternative energies, but more research is required to make the hydrogen fuel cell cost-effective for use in industry, homes, automobiles, and cell phones, Williams said.

Williams said a new federal hydrogen fuel initiative is pumping billions of dollars into developing the technology that could dramatically reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil, slash greenhouse gas emissions, and put large numbers of Americans in clean, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2020.

Cutting-Edge Careers

Cutting-edge careers in fuel cell technology are already available, according to Darrell Grissom, project developer for Lamar Institute of Technology's new Alternative Energy and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology program.

"Manufacturers of stationary fuel cells, for residential and industrial use," explained Grissom, "tell us they are ready to hire students trained in fuel cell technologyŠright now. Trained technicians are needed for fuel cell installation, operation and maintenance. These manufacturers say that within another two to three years, use of the stationary fuel cell technology will expand rapidly. Stationary applications will provide industries and consumers with a highly reliable power source and could eventually lower utility bills."

Grissom said he has seen starting salaries as high as $65,000 in the fuel cell technology field. Experts advising the Institute of Technology on curriculum development said technicians entering into the field can expect above average starting salaries of between $35,000 to $40,000 a year.

Fuel Cell Technology Training

Beginning in August, fuel cell technology training at Lamar Institute of Technology's will feature five new courses: Introduction to Fuel Cells and Other Alternative Energies, Fuel Cell Principles and Components, Fuel Cell Electronic Control Systems, Fuel Cell Troubleshooting, and Fuel Cell Installation & Commissions.

Fuel Cell Technology training will be offered as a specialty in LIT's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program.

For more information, prospective students should contact Grissom at 880-8231 or visit LIT Web site at http://www.lit.edu.