Abstract: A method of producing an infiltrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) layer. The method begins by infiltrating a solution containing a solute into a SOFC layer to produce a primary SOFC layer. The primary SOFC layer is then dried in a heated environment, wherein the heated environment ranges in temperature from about 25° C. to about 100° C. to produce a dry primary SOFC layer. The dry primary SOFC layer is then cooled at a rate less than about 5° C./min to room temperature to produce a cooled primary SOFC layer. The cooled primary SOFC layer is then heated to a temperature greater than 500° C. then quenching to a temperature from about 10° C. to about 30° C. to produce an infiltrated SOFC layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a Ni-based anode. The fuel cell also comprises a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a mixture of: NiO, YSZ, BaCO3, CuO, ZnO, Fe2O3, and Cr2O3. It is envisioned that the fuel cell is operated at temperatures greater than 600° C.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode comprising PrxCoyO3, wherein the ratio of x and y are 1:1.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an indium tin oxide cathode contact is in physical contact subjacent an upper interconnect and in physical contact superjacent a cathode. In this fuel cell an electrolyte is in physical contact subjacent a cathode and superjacent an anode. Finally, a lower interconnect is subjacent the anode.

Abstract: A system for a solid oxide fuel cell stack disposed between and in contact with a fixed top compression plate and a movable compression plate. At least one tension rod can be inserted through an opening on a movable locking plate, wherein the top end of the tension rod is connected to the bottom of the movable compression plate and the bottom end of the tension rod is connected to a fixed bottom compression plate. At least one nut can be used in conjunction each tension rod and disposed below the movable locking plate to secure the movable locking plate in position. Additionally, at least one spring can be disposed around the at least one tension rod and connected to the bottom of the movable compression plate and the top of the fixed bottom compression plate. Finally, at least one pneumatic cylinder can be in contact with the bottom of the movable locking plate and the fixed bottom compression plate.

Abstract: A method of producing an infiltrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) layer. The method begins by infiltrating a solution containing a solute into a SOFC layer to produce a primary SOFC layer. The primary SOFC layer is then dried in a heated environment, wherein the heated environment ranges in temperature from about 25° C. to about 100° C. to produce a dry primary SOFC layer. The dry primary SOFC layer is then cooled at a rate less than about 5° C./min to room temperature to produce a cooled primary SOFC layer. The cooled primary SOFC layer is then heated to a temperature greater than 500° C. then quenching to a temperature from about 10° C. to about 30° C. to produce an infiltrated SOFC layer.

Abstract: A metal frame for sealing a solid oxide fuel cell. The metal frame comprises both a metal top frame positioned on top of a middle frame and a metal bottom frame that is positioned below a middle frame.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a SSZ/SDC bi-layer electrolyte solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: fabricating an NiO-YSZ anode substrate from a mixed NiO and yttria-stabilized zirconia by tape casting; sequentially depositing a NiO-SSZ buffer layer, a thin SSZ electrolyte layer and a SDC electrolyte on the NiO-YSZ anode substrate by a particle suspension coating or spraying process, wherein the layers are co-fired at high temperature to densify the electrolyte layers to at least about 96% of their theoretical densities; and painting/spraying a SSC-SDC slurry on the SDC electrolyte to form a porous SSC-SDC cathode. A SSZ/SDC bi-layer electrolyte cell device and a method of using such device are also discussed.

Abstract: A device comprising a first solid oxide fuel cell and a second solid oxide fuel cell. The first solid oxide fuel cell comprises a first anode, a first cathode and a first electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte is positioned between and connected to the first anode and the first cathode. The second solid oxide fuel cell comprises a second anode, a second cathode and a second electrolyte, wherein the second electrolyte is positioned between and connected to the second anode and the second cathode. In this device the cathode distance between the first cathode and the second cathode is less than the anode distance between the first anode and the second anode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode comprising PrxCoyO3, wherein the ratio of x and y are 1:1.

Abstract: A method of producing an infiltrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) layer. The method begins by infiltrating a solution containing a solute into a SOFC layer to produce a primary SOFC layer. The primary SOFC layer is then dried in a heated environment, wherein the heated environment ranges in temperature from about 25° C. to about 100° C. to produce a dry primary SOFC layer. The dry primary SOFC layer is then cooled at a rate less than about 5° C./min to room temperature to produce a cooled primary SOFC layer. The cooled primary SOFC layer is then heated to a temperature greater than 500° C. then quenching to a temperature from about 10° C. to about 30° C. to produce an infiltrated SOFC layer.

Abstract: A method of producing an infiltrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) layer. The method begins by infiltrating a solution containing a solute into a SOFC layer to produce a primary SOFC layer. The primary SOFC layer is then dried in a heated environment, wherein the heated environment ranges in temperature from about 25° C. to about 100° C. to produce a dry primary SOFC layer. The dry primary SOFC layer is then cooled at a rate less than about 5° C./min to room temperature to produce a cooled primary SOFC layer. The cooled primary SOFC layer is then heated to a temperature greater than 500° C. then quenching to a temperature from about 10° C. to about 30° C. to produce an infiltrated SOFC layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell is taught comprising an anode support with an anode functional layer situated on top of and in contact with the anode support. A ScCeSZ electrolyte layer is then disposed on top of and in contact with the anode functional layer. A SDC electrolyte layer is then disposed on top of and in contact with the ScCeSZ electrolyte layer. Finally, a cathode layer is disposed on top of and in contact with the SDC electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid oxide fuel cell. The method begins by tape casting an anode support. Next an anode functional layer slurry comprising of NiO and ScCeSZ ceramic powder is coated onto the anode support. The anode functional layer slurry is then dried to form an NiO—ScCeSZ anode functional layer on the anode support. A first electrolyte layer comprising of a ScCeSZ slurry is then coated onto the NiO—ScCeSZ functional layer. The first electrolyte layer is then dried to form a ScCeSZ electrolyte layer on the NiO—ScCeSZ functional layer. A second electrolyte layer comprising of a samarium doped CeO2 (SDC) slurry is then coated onto the ScCeSZ electrolyte layer. The second electrolyte layer is then dried to form a SDC electrolyte layer on the ScCeSZ electrolyte layer. The combined anode support, the NiO—ScCeSZ anode functional layer, the ScCeSZ electrolyte layer, and the SDC electrolyte layer is then sintered together.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising an anode, an electrolyte supported by the anode; and a cathode supported by the electrolyte. A primary thermoelectric ceramic is in contact with the cathode positioned on the opposing side of the electrolyte. An optional secondary thermoelectric ceramic is in contact with the anode positioned on the opposite side of the electrolyte. In this embodiment air and fuel gas surround the fuel cell at a temperature lower than the operational internal temperature of the fuel cell and both the primary thermoelectric ceramic and the optional secondary thermoelectric ceramic are capable of converting the temperature difference between the fuel cell and both the air and the fuel gas into an additional output voltage.

Abstract: The present embodiment describes a method of forming different layers in a solid oxide fuel cell. The method begins by preparing slurries which are then delivered to a spray nozzle. The slurries are then atomized and sprayed subsequently onto a support to produce a layer which is then dried. In this embodiment different layers can comprise an anode, an electrode and a cathode. Also, the support can be a metal or a metal oxide which is later removed.

Abstract: The present embodiment describes a method of forming different layers in a solid oxide fuel cell. The method begins by preparing slurries which are then delivered to a spray nozzle. The slurries are then atomized and sprayed subsequently onto a support to produce a layer which is then dried. In this embodiment different layers can comprise an anode, an electrolyte and a cathode. Also the support can be a metal or a metal oxide which is later removed.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a cathode, an electrolyte, a functional layer and an anode support. The anode support comprises A-B-C: A is a nitrate, an oxide, a salt or a carbonate selected from the group of: alkali, alkaline oxide, alkaline earth metal or combinations thereof, B is selected from the group of: Fe, Ni, Cu, Co or combinations thereof, and C is selected from the group of: PSZ, YSZ, SSZ, SDC, Ce doped SSZ, GDC or combinations thereof. In the solid oxide fuel cell A ranges from about 0 to about 20 wt % of the anode support, B ranges from about 0.1 to about 70 wt % of the anode support and C ranges from about 0.1 to about 60 wt % of the anode support.

Abstract: A device comprising a first solid oxide fuel cell and a second solid oxide fuel cell. The first solid oxide fuel cell comprises a first anode, a first cathode and a first electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte is positioned between and connected to the first anode and the first cathode. The second solid oxide fuel cell comprises a second anode, a second cathode and a second electrolyte, wherein the second electrolyte is positioned between and connected to the second anode and the second cathode. In this device the cathode distance between the first cathode and the second cathode is less than the anode distance between the first anode and the second anode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a variable thickness electrolyte layer in contact between an anode and a cathode. The solid oxide fuel cell also comprises a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. In the solid oxide fuel cell, the variable thickness electrolyte layer is thinner closer to the fuel inlet and thicker closer to the fuel outlet.