This paper introduced the working principle,advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells;At the same time,under the background of the use of fuel cells,it summarized the status of fuel cell technology development and research hot spots such as vehicle proton exchange membrane fuel cell,renewable fuels battery of space flight,small portable products of direct methanol fuel cells,medium-sized power station with solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC),microbial fuel cells(MFC).It also pointed out the future development trend of the fuel cells.