A fuel cell converts chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. It has an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte coated with a catalyst. Hydrogen is pumped into the anode and oxygen into the cathode. The catalyst splits hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons at the anode. The protons pass through the electrolyte but electrons cannot, forcing them through an external circuit to power devices. The electrons and protons reunite with oxygen at the cathode to form water, with no waste produced.