The efficiency and quietness of fuel cells make them attractive power sources for the autonomous underwater vehicles of the future. However, several technical issues must he addressed before fuel cells can surpass the performance characteristics of batteries, including efficiency, reliability, durability, standby operation and storage, changes to orientation, and high shock loads. Improvements to the storage of the fuel (hydrogen or hydrogen sources) and oxidizer (oxygen) make the biggest impact on the size, weight, and utilization of fuel cell systems.Proton-exchangemembrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are the most attractive fuel cell system and already have been successfully demonstrated for use in Autonomous underwater Vehicles (AUVs). AUVs of the future may utilize directmethanol fuel cells @MFCs) o r solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) which can use liquid methanol or diesel fuel instead of hydrogen.

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