Origins

• A hydrogen-powered Maxda RX-8.
  
  The hydrogen internal combustion engine was invented in 1807 by Francois Isaac de Rivaz, although a United States patent wasn't issued until 1970, when engineer Paul Dieges applied for one.
  
  

The Wankel

• Felix Wankel, an early pioneer of the hydrogen-powered car engine.
  
  German engineer Felix Wankel designed the Wankel rotary engine in the 1950s and conceived a version to burn hydrogen. But the four-stroke reciprocating engine proved unsuitable because the hydrogen was prone to misfiring on the spark plugs and hot exhaust valve. The problem can be solved by using ceramic surfaces, but the ceramic piston rings have not been perfected.
  
  

Fuel Cells

• Francis Thomas Bacon developed a fuel-cell hydrogen prototype engine.
  
  The Wankel experiment pointed to the difficulty of adapting the internal combustion engine to hydrogen power. More effective are fuel-cell versions. Francis T. Bacon developed a fuel-cell prototype hydrogen engine in 1959, followed in the early 1960s by inventor Roger Billings. Although hydrogen fuel cells are susceptible to freezing temperatures and are very fragile and expensive, the lion's share of private and government funding is focused on hydrogen fuel cell power.
  
  

Abandonment

• The Hyundai fuel-cell hydrogen-powred SUV.
  
  Most major automakers have attempted to develop hydrogen-powered cars. However, the Ford Motor Company abandoned its plans in favor of focusing on electric cars, while Renault-Nissan canceled all hydrogen research and development projects. A major obstacle is developing fuel cells that can work effectively despite the vibrations and bumps experienced in cars.
  
  

Still Alive

• Ohio State Univerisity's Buckeye Bullet 2.
  
  These major obstacles are not the end of hydrogen engines. Honda has developed a concept car, the fuel-cell FC Sport. Daimler AG plans to manufacture 100,000 FC cars in 2012-13, and Hyundai is on schedule to build 500 FC cars by 2010. The Buckeye Bullet 2, built by students at Ohio State University, set a land speed record of 286 mph for a hydrogen-powered car in 2008. A prototype Ford Fusion hit 207 mph.
  
  

Limited Numbers Today

• The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999.
  
  As of 2009, there are perhaps only 200 hydrogen-powered cars in the United States that are used primarily as demonstration models or for commercial lease. There are, however, motorcycles, buses, aircraft, ships and even wheelchairs that are hydrogen-powered.
  
  

The Future

• The Daimler FC.
  
  Widespread use of hydrogen-powered automobiles is not expected until at least 2050. In addition, the U.S. government announced plans in mid-2009 to stop funding fuel cell development, as electric and hybrids using a electric/gasoline combination have taken priority. Private fuel cell design projects continue with an eye towards platinum and nickel-tin to lower fuel cell costs and to function despite the impurities inherent in the hydrogen supply.