Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. That substrate may be in nanobar form that conforms to an orientation imparted by a magnetic field or an electric field applied before or during the converting. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. That substrate may be in nanobar form that conforms to an orientation imparted by a magnetic field or an electric field applied before or during the converting. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

Abstract: Solid oxide cells having electrolytes comprise alternating layers of metal oxides, in some embodiments. Electrodes in ionic communication with the alternating layers of metal oxides allow for enhanced ionic conductivity. Some embodiments provide for harvesting and releasing ions from the electrolyte using bulk ionic conductivity in combination with interfacial ionic conductivity. Certain embodiments provide for a large number of small cells to reduce material costs without sacrificing cell performance. Techniques for manufacturing, electrode-electrolyte interface materials, and geometries for assembling cells for greater electrical power generation are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.