Abstract: A novel Fischer Tropsch (FT) catalyst that has improved thermal characteristics and a highly active surface catalyst coating on a pellet to produce high quality hydrocarbon liquids and waxes even at high reactor temperatures. The catalyst shows a surprising increase in hydrocarbons and wax formation at high temperature and a much higher specific catalyst activity than demonstrated to date. More generally, a catalyst support, method of making a catalyst, and methods of FT synthesis are described.

Abstract: The interface between solid electrolyte and alkali-metal electrodes is critically important to the performance of a range of electrochemical devices including solid-state batteries. Inhomogeneous solid-electrolyte interfaces can lead to dendrite formation and high interfacial resistance. In the present invention, the interaction between an alkali metal and ceramic solid-electrolyte is enhanced through the in-situ decoration of the solid-electrolyte free surface with metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are exsolved from metal oxide dopants during the high temperature processing of solid electrolyte membranes.

Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor for measuring the concentrations of one or more target gas species in a gas sample or gas stream, the sensor having at least one electrochemical cell with first and second surface electrodes, an electrolyte layer and a passive signal amplifying layer (“SAL”) comprising electrically conductive material like platinum, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte layer is located between the surface electrodes and the SAL such that the SAL is in direct, conductive contact with the electrolyte layer but is not in direct contact with the surface electrodes. Sensor systems and detection methods are also provided.

Abstract: A sulfur tolerant anode current collector material includes a mesh or foam that includes a cermet. The cermet includes a metallic component and a ceramic component. The metallic component includes nickel, an alloy including nickel and cobalt, or a mixture including a nickel compound and a cobalt compound. The ceramic component includes a mixed conducting electrolyte material.

Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor for measuring the concentrations of one or more target gas species in a gas sample or gas stream, the sensor having at least one electrochemical cell with first and second surface electrodes, an electrolyte layer and a passive signal amplifying layer (“SAL”) comprising electrically conductive material like platinum, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte layer is located between the surface electrodes and the SAL such that the SAL is in direct, conductive contact with the electrolyte layer but is not in direct contact with the surface electrodes. Sensor systems and detection methods are also provided.

Abstract: Electrode materials systems for planar solid oxide fuel cells with high electrochemical performance including anode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases and cathode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in oxygen-containing gases. The anode materials may comprise a cermet in which the metal component is a cobalt-nickel alloy. These anode materials provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases, e.g., in SOFCs with sulfur contaminated fuels. The cermet also may comprise a mixed-conducting ceria-based electrolyte material. The anode may have a bi-layer structure. A cerium oxide-based interfacial layer with mixed electronic and ionic conduction may be provided at the electrolyte/anode interface.

Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor for measuring the concentrations of two or more target gas species in a gas sample or gas stream, wherein the sensor includes first and second electrochemical cells having respective first and second active electrodes, the electrochemical cells further including an electrolyte membrane and a counter electrode, wherein the first electrochemical cell exhibits an additive response with respect to a first and second ones of the target gas species and the second electrochemical cell exhibits a selective response to the first target gas species in the presence of the second target gas species such that the sensor is capable of measuring the respective concentrations of the first and second target gas species.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of densifying a lanthanide chromite ceramic or a mixture containing a lanthanide chromite ceramic. The method comprises mixing one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics with one or more sintering aids, and sintering the mixture. The one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics are represented by the formula (Ln1-xAEx)zCr1-yByO3-?, wherein Ln is a lanthanide element or yttrium, AE is one or more alkaline earth elements, B is one or more transition metals, x is a value less than 1, y is a value less than or equal to 0.5, and z is a value from 0.8 to 1.2. The sintering aids comprise one or more spinel oxides. The one or more spinel oxides are represented by the formula AB2O4 or A2BO4 wherein A and B are cationic materials having an affinity for B-site occupancy in a lanthanide chromite ceramic structure, e.g., ZnMn2O4, MgMn2O4, MnMn2O4 and CoMn2O4. This disclosure also relates in part to products, e.g., dense ceramic structures produced by the above method.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), each of the SOFCs including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte layer positioned between the cathode and anode; and at least one additional component comprising a metallic substrate having an electronically conductive, chromium-free perovskite coating deposited directly thereon. The perovskite coating has the formula ABO3, wherein A is a lanthanide element or Y, and B is a mixture of two or more transition elements, with the A site undoped by any alkaline earth element, and the perovskite coating exhibits limited or no ionic transport of oxygen.

Abstract: Electrode materials systems for planar solid oxide fuel cells with high electrochemical performance including anode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases and cathode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in oxygen-containing gases. The anode materials may comprise a cermet in which the metal component is a cobalt-nickel alloy. These anode materials provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases, e.g., in SOFCs with sulfur contaminated fuels. The cermet also may comprise a mixed-conducting ceria-based electrolyte material. The anode may have a bi-layer structure. A cerium oxide-based interfacial layer with mixed electronic and ionic conduction may be provided at the electrolyte/anode interface.

Abstract: Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or NH3 and a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.

Abstract: Electrode materials systems for planar solid oxide fuel cells with high electrochemical performance including anode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases and cathode materials that provide exceptional long-term durability when used in oxygen-containing gases. The anode materials may comprise a cermet in which the metal component is a cobalt-nickel alloy. These anode materials provide exceptional long-term durability when used in reducing gases, e.g., in SOFCs with sulfur contaminated fuels. The cermet also may comprise a mixed-conducting ceria-based electrolyte material. The anode may have a bi-layer structure. A cerium oxide-based interfacial layer with mixed electronic and ionic conduction may be provided at the electrolyte/anode interface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of densifying a lanthanide chromite ceramic or a mixture containing a lanthanide chromite ceramic. The method comprises mixing one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics with one or more sintering aids, and sintering the mixture. The one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics are represented by the formula (Ln1-xAEx)zCr1-yByO3-?, wherein Ln is a lanthanide element or yttrium, AE is one or more alkaline earth elements, B is one or more transition metals, x is a value less than 1, y is a value less than or equal to 0.5, and z is a value from 0.8 to 1.2. The sintering aids comprise one or more spinel oxides. The one or more spinel oxides are represented by the formula AB2O4 or A2BO4 wherein A and B are cationic materials having an affinity for B-site occupancy in a lanthanide chromite ceramic structure, e.g., ZnMn2O4, MgMn2O4, MnMn2O4 and CoMn2O4. This disclosure also relates in part to products, e.g., dense ceramic structures produced by the above method.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), each of the SOFCs including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte layer positioned between the cathode and anode; and at least one additional component comprising a metallic substrate having an electronically conductive, chromium-free perovskite coating deposited directly thereon. The perovskite coating has the formula ABO3, wherein A is a lanthanide element or Y, and B is a mixture of two or more transition elements, with the A site undoped by any alkaline earth element, and the perovskite coating exhibits limited or no ionic transport of oxygen.

Abstract: Self-supporting thin film membranes of ceramic materials and related electrochemical cells and cell stacks. The membrane structure is divided into a plurality of self-supporting thin membrane regions by a network of thicker integrated support ribs. The membrane structure may be prepared by laminating a thin electrolyte layer with a thicker ceramic layer that forms a network of support ribs.

Abstract: Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or NH3 and a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.

Abstract: Ceramic laminate structures, particularly laminate structures including stabilized zirconia compositions, as well as electrodes and electrochemical cells including such laminate structures. The stabilized zirconia composition preferably are selected from scandia-stabilized zirconia and yttria-stabilized zirconia. These laminate structures enhance the overall flexural strength of the electrolyte layer while preserving high electrical conductivity. Such laminate structures may be useful in electrochemical fuel cells such as solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A dense ceramic electrolyte membrane supported by symmetrical porous ceramic electrolyte layers. The thin (t<100 microns) electrolyte layer is sandwiched between two fugitive-containing electrolyte support layers that become highly porous after firing. The heat treated fugitive-containing support layers form a skeletal structure of strongly adhered electrolyte with an interpenetrating network of pores that extends well always from the electrolyte surface. The porous layers can be infiltrated with a range of electrode materials or precursors to form a solid oxide fuel cell or other electrochemical cell as well as electrochemical cell stacks. The supported ceramic membrane provides electrochemical performance advantages and reduces warpage during sintering compared to conventional structures.

Abstract: A sulfur tolerant anode current collector material includes a mesh or foam that includes a cermet. The cermet includes a metallic component and a ceramic component. The metallic component includes nickel, an alloy including nickel and cobalt, or a mixture including a nickel compound and a cobalt compound. The ceramic component includes a mixed conducting electrolyte material.

Abstract: Ceramic membranes with integral seals and support, and related electrochemical cells and cell stacks. The membrane comprises a thin electrolyte layer supported on a porous electrode layer which in turn is supported on a thick ceramic support layer, preferably a ceramic electrolyte support. The support layer is divided into a plurality of self-supporting thin membrane regions by a network of thicker integrated support ribs. The thin electrolyte layer and thick ceramic support layer preferably define a sealing perimeter surrounding the porous electrode layer.