Abstract: A metal-supported, planar cell arrangement (200) comprising at least one pair of cells (110a, 110b), each cell (110a, 110b) comprising a metal substrate (120a, 120b) having first and second sides and a porous region (124) providing fluid communication between the sides, planar cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) comprising fuel electrode, electrolyte, and air electrode layers being coated or deposited over, and supported by, the porous region (124) on the first side, wherein the metal substrates (120) are in a stacked arrangement with their cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) overlying each other such that either both their first sides, or, both their second sides face inwardly in a spaced, opposed relationship, the inwardly facing sides thereby defining a common first fluid volume (140) between them for one of fuel or oxidant.

Abstract: A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit, at least one plate having flanged perimeter features (18) formed by pressing the plate, the plates being directly adjoined at the flanged perimeter features to form a fluid volume (20) between them and each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume, and at least one of the plates has pressed shaped port features (24) formed around its port extending towards the other plate and including elements spaced from one another to define fluid pathways to enable passage of fluid from the port to the fluid volume. Raised members (120) may receive a gasket (34), act as a hard stop or act as a seal bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic fibers of the Si-C-N-O series with a diameter less than about 20 micrometers. It has been unexpectedly found that the thermal stability of these fibers can be increased by minimizing the impurity content, primarily the content of metals or metallic compounds. Such fibers with low levels of contaminants retain greater than about 60 percent of their initial tensile strength when subjected to temperatures of 1300.degree.-1400.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes in a non-oxidative environment.