Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic tape includes a step of directing a tape of partially-sintered ceramic into a furnace. The tape is partially-sintered such that grains of the ceramic are fused to one another yet the tape still includes at least 10% porosity by volume, where the porosity refers to volume of the tape unoccupied by the ceramic. The method further includes steps of conveying the tape through the furnace and further sintering the tape as the tape is conveyed through the furnace. The porosity of the tape decreases during the further sintering step.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte including an inorganic lithium ion conductive film and a porous layer on a surface of the inorganic lithium ion conductive film, wherein the porous layer includes a first porous layer and a second porous layer, and the second porous layer is disposed between the inorganic lithium ion conductive film and the first porous layer, and wherein the first porous layer has a size greater which is than a pore size of the second porous layer.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte for a negative electrode of a secondary battery includes a first solid electrolyte having a first surface and a second solid electrolyte on the first solid electrolyte and having a second surface. The first solid electrolyte and the second solid electrolyte each have an ionic conductivity effective for a deposition metal, and the first surface and the second surface are different in composition, structure, or both. An electrode assembly and an electrochemical cell including the solid electrolyte and method for the manufacture thereof are also described.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte for a negative electrode of a secondary battery includes a first solid electrolyte having a first surface and a second solid electrolyte on the first solid electrolyte and having a second surface. The first solid electrolyte and the second solid electrolyte each have an ionic conductivity effective for a deposition metal, and the first surface and the second surface are different in composition, structure, or both. An electrode assembly and an electrochemical cell including the solid electrolyte and method for the manufacture thereof are also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention a fuel cell device array monolith comprises at least three planar electrolyte sheets having two sides. The electrolyte sheets are situated adjacent to one another. At least one of the electrolyte sheets is supporting a plurality of anodes situated on one side of the electrolyte sheet; and plurality of cathodes situated on the other side of the electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheets are arranged such that the electrolyte sheets with a plurality of cathodes and anodes is situated between the other electrolyte sheets. The at least three electrolyte sheets are joined together by sintered fit, with no metal frames or bipolar plates situated therebetween.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention the fuel cell device includes an electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheet has a substantially non-porous body of a varied thickness, a relatively smooth surface and a more textured surface with multiple indentations therein, wherein the thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of said electrolyte sheet. The side of the electrolyte sheet with a relatively smooth surface is subjected to the predominately tensile force and the other, more textured surface subjected to predominately compressive force. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell also includes one cathode disposed on the more textured side of said electrolyte sheet at least at least one anode disposed opposite the cathode on the relatively smooth side of aid electrolyte sheet. According to one embodiment, the relatively smooth side of the electrolyte sheet is the fuel facing side and the more textured side is the air-facing side.

Abstract: An electrolyte sheet comprises a body of a varied thickness. The electrolyte sheet has at least one non-porous surface. This non-porous surface is a textured surface with multiple indentations therein. The thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of the sheet.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a fuel cell device comprises: a plurality of fuel cells, each of the plurality of fuel cells having an active area, wherein at least two of the plurality of fuel cells have differently sized active area, such that ratio of the active areas of these two fuel cells is at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell device comprises: (a) zirconia based electrolyte; (b) at least one ectrode situated on the electrolyte; (c) a component situated in close proximity to the electrolyte, the component comprising at least one metal or metal oxide capable, at temperatures of above 625° C., of: (i) migrating to the surface of this component, and (ii) being re-deposited on said at least one electrode; and (d) a protective coating situated on at least one surface of this component. The protective coating substantially prevents the at least one metal or metal oxide from leaving the surface of the component, which is situated under said protective coating. The protective coating is also being substantially impermeable to oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell apparatus which includes arrays of positive air electrodes and negative fuel electrodes with via interconnections disposed on an electrolyte sheet; optional electrode designs include symmetric electrodes comprising a conductive silver alloy metal phase and a thermally stabilizing ceramic phase, the latter providing low interface resistance and matching thermal properties.

Abstract: An electrolyte sheet comprises a body of a varied thickness. The electrolyte sheet has at least one non-porous surface. This non-porous surface is a textured surface with multiple indentations therein. The thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of the sheet.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention the fuel cell device includes an electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheet has a substantially non-porous body of a varied thickness, a relatively smooth surface and a more textured surface with multiple indentations therein, wherein the thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of said electrolyte sheet. The side of the electrolyte sheet with a relatively smooth surface is subjected to the predominately tensile force and the other, more textured surface subjected to predominately compressive force. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell also includes one cathode disposed on the more textured side of said electrolyte sheet at least at least one anode disposed opposite the cathode on the relatively smooth side of aid electrolyte sheet.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrode/electrolyte assemblies for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) comprising a thin electrolyte sheet interposed between opposite electrodes, and wherein the positive air electrode (cathode) and negative fuel electrode (anode) are composed of similar electronically conductive metal phases and stabilizing ceramic phases, and wherein the anode exhibits both good oxidation resistance and good catalytic activity toward fuel oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compliant fuel cell apparatus which includes arrays of positive air electrodes and negative fuel electrodes with via interconnections disposed on a thin compliant electrolyte sheet; optional electrode designs include symmetric electrodes comprising a conductive silver alloy metal phase and a thermally stabilizing ceramic phase, the latter providing low interface resistance and matching thermal properties, with the resulting fuel cells remaining sufficiently compliant to demonstrate good resistance to thermal shock damage.

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cell assemblies comprise packets of multi-cell-sheet devices based on compliant solid oxide electrolyte sheets that form a fuel chamber and support anodes interiorly and cathodes exteriorly of the chamber that can be electrically interconnected to provide a compact, high voltage power-generating unit; added frames can support the oxide sheets and incorporate fuel supply and air supply conduits or manifolds permitting stacking of the assemblies into fuel cell stacks of any required size and power-generating capacity.

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) based on mechanically durable honeycomb electrodes supporting thin electrolyte and counter electrode layers in selected honeycomb channels provide dependable operation and high volume power density through extended use cycles.