Abstract: A monolithic ceramic capacitor has a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers sintered together to form a substantially monolithic ceramic body. The ceramic body defines at least one void between the dielectric and conductive layers. The void is at least partially enclosed within the ceramic body and bounded by at least a portion of a dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. Within the dielectric body, the first and second conductive layers are connected in a nonconductive manner.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic capacitor has a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers sintered together to form a substantially monolithic ceramic body. The ceramic body defines at least one void between the dielectric and conductive layers. The void is at least partially enclosed within the ceramic body and bounded by at least a portion of a dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. Within the dielectric body, the first and second conductive layers are connected in a nonconductive manner.

Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides solid oxide fuel cell devices and systems, each including an elongate substrate having an active end region for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and a non-active end region that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the active end region is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the active end region, and the anodes and cathodes each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in the non-active end region for electrical connection at low temperature. The system further includes the devices positioned with their active end regions in a hot zone chamber and their non-active end regions extending outside the chamber. A heat source is coupled to the chamber to heat the active end regions to the operating reaction temperature, and fuel and air supplies are coupled to the substrates in the non-active end regions.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages.

Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides solid oxide fuel cell devices and systems, each including an elongate substrate having an active end region for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and a non-active end region that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the active end region is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the active end region, and the anodes and cathodes each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in the non-active end region for electrical connection at low temperature. The system further includes the devices positioned with their active end regions in a hot zone chamber and their non-active end regions extending outside the chamber. A heat source is coupled to the chamber to heat the active end regions to the operating reaction temperature, and fuel and air supplies are coupled to the substrates in the non-active end regions.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is prepared by dispensing and drying electrode and ceramic pastes around two pluralities of removable physical structures to form electrode layers having constant width and a shape that conforms lengthwise to a curvature of the physical structures. An electrolyte ceramic layer is positioned between electrode layers, forming an active cell portion where anode is in opposing relation to cathode with electrolyte therebetween, and passive cell portions where ceramic is adjacent the active cell portion. The layers are laminated, the physical structures pulled out, and the lamination sintered to form an active cell with active passages in anodes and cathodes and passive support structure with passive passages in ceramic. End portions of at least one of the two pluralities of physical structures are curved away from the same end portion of the other of the two pluralities resulting in a split end in the fuel cell device.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided having an active central portion with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte therebetween. At least three elongate portions extend from the active central portion, each having a length substantially greater than a width transverse thereto such that the elongate portions each have a coefficient of thermal expansion having a dominant axis that is coextensive with its length. A fuel passage extends from a fuel inlet in a first elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the anode, and an oxidizer passage extends from an oxidizer inlet in a second elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the cathode. A gas passage extends between an opening in the third elongate portion and the active central portion. For example, the passage in the third elongate portion may be an exhaust passage for the spent fuel and/or oxidizer gasses.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided having an active structure with an anode and cathode in opposing relation with an electrolyte therebetween, a fuel passage adjacent the anode for supplying fuel to the active structure, and an air passage adjacent the cathode for supplying air to the active structure. A porous ceramic layer is positioned between each of the anode and fuel passage and the cathode and air passage, the porous ceramic layers having a porosity configured to permit transport of fuel and air from the respective fuel and air passage to the respective anode and cathode. An inactive surrounding support structure is provided that is monolithic with the electrolyte and the porous ceramic layers, wherein the inactive surrounding support structure lacks the anode and cathode in opposing relation and the active structure resides within the inactive surrounding support structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is prepared by dispensing and drying electrode and ceramic pastes around two pluralities of removable physical structures to form electrode layers having constant width and a shape that conforms lengthwise to a curvature of the physical structures. An electrolyte ceramic layer is positioned between electrode layers, forming an active cell portion where anode is in opposing relation to cathode with electrolyte therebetween, and passive cell portions where ceramic is adjacent the active cell portion. The layers are laminated, the physical structures pulled out, and the lamination sintered to form an active cell with active passages in anodes and cathodes and passive support structure with passive passages in ceramic. End portions of at least one of the two pluralities of physical structures are curved away from the same end portion of the other of the two pluralities resulting in a split end in the fuel cell device.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided having an active structure with an anode and cathode in opposing relation with an electrolyte therebetween, a fuel passage adjacent the anode for supplying fuel to the active structure, and an air passage adjacent the cathode for supplying air to the active structure. A porous ceramic layer is positioned between each of the anode and fuel passage and the cathode and air passage, the porous ceramic layers having a porosity configured to permit transport of fuel and air from the respective fuel and air passage to the respective anode and cathode. An inactive surrounding support structure is provided that is monolithic with the electrolyte and the porous ceramic layers, wherein the inactive surrounding support structure lacks the anode and cathode in opposing relation and the active structure resides within the inactive surrounding support structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided having an active central portion with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte therebetween. At least three elongate portions extend from the active central portion, each having a length substantially greater than a width transverse thereto such that the elongate portions each have a coefficient of thermal expansion having a dominant axis that is coextensive with its length. A fuel passage extends from a fuel inlet in a first elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the anode, and an oxidizer passage extends from an oxidizer inlet in a second elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the cathode. A gas passage extends between an opening in the third elongate portion and the active central portion. For example, the passage in the third elongate portion may be an exhaust passage for the spent fuel and/or oxidizer gasses.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic capacitor has a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers sintered together to form a substantially monolithic ceramic body. The ceramic body defines at least one void between the dielectric and conductive layers. The void is at least partially enclosed within the ceramic body and bounded by at least a portion of a dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. Within the dielectric body, the first and second conductive layers are connected in a nonconductive manner.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic capacitor has a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers sintered together to form a substantially monolithic ceramic body. The ceramic body defines at least one void between the dielectric and conductive layers. The void is wholly enclosed within the ceramic body and bounded by at least a portion of a dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. Within the dielectric body, the first and second conductive layers are connected in a nonconductive manner.

Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.