ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

PEM electrolysis

Okay kiddo, let's talk about Pem electrolysis! PEM stands for proton exchange membrane and electrolysis is the process of splitting water into its components - hydrogen and oxygen.

Imagine a little toy house with a roof that is made of a special material called a proton exchange membrane. This special roof is a bit like a sponge because it can only let certain things through.

Now imagine putting the toy house in a bowl of water with some special wires connected to the roof and the floor of the house. When an electric current is passed through the wires, the roof sucks in water molecules and splits them into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are collected separately in little tanks, and we can use the hydrogen later as a clean and efficient fuel. The oxygen is also very useful, and it can be used in lots of different ways too.

So, Pem electrolysis is like a magic toy house that can split water into two useful things, all thanks to a special roof that only lets certain things through.