Venkatram Mereddy, Associate Professor, UMD-Chemistry and
Biochemistry Many remote traffic signals lack access to a
regular power supply and so rely on batteries that must be
changed frequently. A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical
device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity,
offering a clean and high-efficiency energy source to circumvent
the problems associated with conventional batteries. One major
drawback that limits its utility, however, is its use of
compressed metal cylinders as a source of hydrogen. Chemical-
based hydrogen production can provide a compact and low-pressure
storage option for the controlled release of hydrogen gas in
large quantities. The hydrogen-based fuel cells can also be used
as a backup power source at critical traffic signals to prevent
accidents during power outages. The other possible applications
include alternating-traffic signs, directional signals, speed-
limit signs, blinkers in series, and warning blinkers. This
project explored novel chemical-ba