Abstract: The present invention is directed to solid NASICON electrolytes in which the zirconium site is doped with a 2+ oxidation state cation. The present invention is also directed to methods of making the solid electrolytes and methods of using the solid electrolytes in batteries and other electrochemical technologies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to SOFC with a multilayer structure comprising a porous ceramic cathode, optionally a cathodic triple phase boundary layer, a bilayer electrolyte comprising a cerium oxide comprising layer and a bismuth oxide comprising layer, an anion functional layer, and a porous ceramic anode with electrical interconnects, wherein the SOFC displays a very high power density at temperatures below 700° C. with hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The low temperature conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy allows the fabrication of the fuel cells using stainless steel or other metal alloys rather than ceramic conductive oxides as the interconnects.

Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a method for the preparation of a dual structure cellular ceramic object where a dispersion of a ceramic precursor a chain-growth or step-growth polymer precursor and a solvent is heated to a first temperature at a first rate followed by heating to a second temperature at a second rate and holding the temperature to form a sintered dual structure cellular ceramic object which is then cooled at a third rate to room temperature. The dual structure cellular ceramic object has a dense surface layer over at least a portion of the object that abruptly yet smoothly and continuously transitioning into a porous ceramic.

Abstract: Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.

Abstract: Solid electrolytes compositions, methods of making the solid electrolytes, and methods of using the solid electrolytes in batteries and other electrochemical technologies are disclosed. The method of producing a solid electrolyte comprises (a) ball milling Na2CO3, SiO2, NH4H2PO4, a zirconium source, and a dopant to produce a ball milled powder; (b) calcining the ball milled powder to produce a calcined powder; and (c) sintering the calcined powder to produce a solid electrolyte. The zirconium source for the solid electrolyte may be ZrO2. The dopant for the solid electrolyte may be AI2O3, Fe2O3, Sb2O3, Yb2O3, or Dy2O3.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a gas sensor and method for sensing one or more gases. An embodiment incorporates an array of sensing electrodes maintained at similar or different temperatures, such that the sensitivity and species selectivity of the device can be fine tuned between different pairs of sensing electrodes. A specific embodiment pertains to a gas sensor array for monitoring combustion exhausts and/or chemical reaction byproducts. An embodiment of the subject device related to this invention operates at high temperatures and can withstand harsh chemical environments. Embodiments of the device are made on a single substrate. The devices can also be made on individual substrates and monitored individually as if they were part of an array on a single substrate. The device can incorporate sensing electrodes in the same environment, which allows the electrodes to be coplanar and, thus, keep manufacturing costs low.

Abstract: Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a gas sensor and method for sensing one or more gases. An embodiment incorporates an array of sensing electrodes maintained at similar or different temperatures, such that the sensitivity and species selectivity of the device can be fine tuned between different pairs of sensing electrodes. A specific embodiment pertains to a gas sensor array for monitoring combustion exhausts and/or chemical reaction byproducts. An embodiment of the subject device related to this invention operates at high temperatures and can withstand harsh chemical environments. Embodiments of the device are made on a single substrate. The devices can also be made on individual substrates and monitored individually as if they were part of an array on a single substrate. The device can incorporate sensing electrodes in the same environment, which allows the electrodes to be coplanar and, thus, keep manufacturing costs low.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane of proton-electron conducting ceramics that is useful for the conversion of a hydrocarbon and steam to hydrogen has a porous support coated with a film of a Perovskite-type oxide. By including the Zr and M in the oxide in place of Ce, the stability can be improved while maintaining sufficient hydrogen flux for efficient generation of hydrogen. In this manner, the conversion can be carried out by performing steam methane reforming (SMR) and/or water-gas shift reactions (WGS) at high temperature, where the conversion of CO to CO2 and H2 is driven by the removal of H2 to give high conversions.

Abstract: Novel anode materials including various compositions of vanadium-doped strontium titanate (SVT), and various compositions of vanadium- and sodium-doped strontium niobate (SNNV) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs). These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used as the structural support of the SOFC anode and/or as the conductive phase of an anode. A method of making a low- or intermediate-temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SVT or SNNV is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane of proton-electron conducting ceramics that is useful for the conversion of a hydrocarbon and steam to hydrogen has a porous support of M?-Sr1-z?M?z?Ce1-x?-y?Zrx?M??y?O3-?, Al2O3, mullite, ZrO2, CeO2 or any mixtures thereof where: M? is Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Zn, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, alloys thereof or mixtures thereof; M? is Ba, Ca, Mg, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; M?? is Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; z? is 0 to about 0.5; x? is 0 to about 0.5; y? is 0 to about 0.5; and x?+y?>0; for example, Ni—SrCe1-x?Zrx?O3-?, where x? is about 0.1 to about 0.3. The porous support is coated with a film of a Perovskite-type oxide of the formula SrCe1-x-yZrxMyO3-? where M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb, x is 0 to about 0.15 and y is about 0.1 to about 0.3.

Abstract: Solid-state, ion-conducting batteries with an ion-conducting, solid-state electrolyte. The solid-state electrolyte has at least one porous region (e.g., porous layer) and a dense region (e.g., dense layer). The batteries are, for example, lithium-ion, sodium-ion, or magnesium-ion conducting solid-state batteries. The ion-conducting, solid-state electrolyte is, for example, a lithium-garnet material.

Abstract: Ceramic fuel cells having enhanced flatness and strength are disclosed. The fuel cell can include a half-cell having, in order, a patterned layer, an anode support layer and an electrolyte layer. Methods of making ceramic fuel cells are also provided.

Abstract: A device for the concurrent oxygen generation and control of carbon dioxide for life support system involves two stages, where a first stage removes CO2 from an exhalent side of a ventilation loop and a second stage employs Ceramic Oxygen Generators (COGs) to convert CO2 into carbon and O2. The first stage includes a plurality of chambers and means to switch the ventilation loop through at least one of the chambers, where CO2 removal is carried out before discharge of the CO2 depleted gas to an inhalant side of the ventilation loop, and to exclude the ventilation loop from the remaining chambers of the first stage, where these chambers are placed in communication with the second stage. The second stage has two portions separated by the COGs such that CO2 and the formed carbon remain on an intake portion from the O2 rich atmosphere on the exhaust side, which is plumbed via a metering valve to introduce the O2 rich atmosphere to the inhalant side of the ventilation loop.

Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a method for the preparation of a dual structure cellular ceramic object where a dispersion of a ceramic precursor a chain-growth or step-growth polymer precursor and a solvent is heated to a first temperature at a first rate followed by heating to a second temperature at a second rate and holding the temperature to form a sintered dual structure cellular ceramic object which is then cooled at a third rate to room temperature. The dual structure cellular ceramic object has a dense surface layer over at least a portion of the object that abruptly yet smoothly and continuously transitioning into a porous ceramic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to SOFC with a multilayer structure comprising a porous ceramic cathode, optionally a cathodic triple phase boundary layer, a bilayer electrolyte comprising a cerium oxide comprising layer and a bismuth oxide comprising layer, an anion functional layer, and a porous ceramic anode with electrical interconnects, wherein the SOFC displays a very high power density at temperatures below 700° C. with hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The low temperature conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy allows the fabrication of the fuel cells using stainless steel or other metal alloys rather than ceramic conductive oxides as the interconnects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane of proton-electron conducting ceramics that is useful for the conversion of a hydrocarbon and steam to hydrogen has a porous support of M?-Sr1-z?M?z?Ce1-x?-y?Zrx?M??y?O3-?, Al2O3, mullite, ZrO2, CeO2 or any mixtures thereof where: M? is Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Zn, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, alloys thereof or mixtures thereof; M? is Ba, Ca, Mg, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; M?? is Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; z? is 0 to about 0.5; x? is 0 to about 0.5; y? is 0 to about 0.5; and x?+y?>0; for example, Ni—SrCe1-x?Zrx?O3-?, where x? is about 0.1 to about 0.3. The porous support is coated with a film of a Perovskite-type oxide of the formula SrCe1-x-yZrxMyO3-? where M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb, x is 0 to about 0.15 and y is about 0.1 to about 0.3.

Abstract: Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.