Abstract: Anode materials comprising various compositions of strontium iron cobalt molybdenum oxide (SFCM) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) are provided. These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used to prepare the anode layer of a SOFC. A method of making a low- or intermediate temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SFCM is also provided.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell includes a cathode, an anode comprising microspheres of lithium metal embedded in an ion and electron conducting oxide-based material, with individual microspheres having a first solid electrolyte interface, and a first solid electrolyte layer comprising a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, the first electrolyte layer positioned between the cathode and the anode. The solid-state battery can also include a second solid electrolyte layer comprising an oxide-based solid electrolyte between the first solid electrolyte layer and the anode, the second solid electrolyte layer having a lower conductivity than the first solid electrolyte layer, and a second solid electrolyte interface between the first solid electrolyte layer and the second solid electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A multimodal solid electrolyte for a solid-state lithium electrochemical device comprises a first layer formed of first rows each having an anode-facing base with an apex extending opposite an anode, the first layer being a first inorganic lithium conducting oxide material, and a second layer formed of second rows each having a cathode-facing base with an apex extending opposite a cathode, the second layer being a second inorganic lithium conducting oxide material, wherein the second rows are offset from the first rows such that the apex of each second row nests within the first rows. A solid polymer electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A separator for use in a unit cell of an energy device includes a perimeter wall and a step portion extending from the perimeter wall along an inner surface of the perimeter wall. A midpoint of a height of the perimeter wall is aligned with a midpoint of a height of the step portion. A planar membrane extends across an area defined by an innermost surface of the step portion. The planar membrane is aligned with the midpoint of the height of the step portion. The planar membrane includes perforations.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell features a functional layer for reducing interfacial resistance between the cathode and the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.

Abstract: An electrode is provided that includes a current collector and an electrode material comprising an electrode active material. The current collector includes at least one groove formed in the current collector. The electrode material is provided within the at least one groove, and the at least one groove has a prescribed depth from a surface of the current collector. A battery is also provided that includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes a current collector and an electrode active material in which the electrode material is provided within at least one groove of the current collector, and the at least one groove has a prescribed depth from a surface of the current collector.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A 3-D printer apparatus (three-dimensional printer apparatus) includes a bottom structure of a tank. The tank defines a printing area located above and spaced apart from the bottom structure. The bottom structure includes oxygen releasing electrodes. A resin curing device is configured to selectively provide light to the printing area. The electronic controller controls operation of the resin curing device and the oxygen releasing electrodes. The electronic controller selectively operates areas of the oxygen releasing electrodes thereby releasing oxygen to predetermined locations below the printing area in order to temporarily prevent the polymerization of a polymerizable resin within predetermined locations of the printing area during the printing process.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.

Abstract: A bipolar plate is provided that includes a metal plate, at least one channel, a first coating, and a second coating. The metal plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge surface connecting the first surface to the second surface, and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface and connecting the first surface to the second surface. The at least one channel is formed in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The first coating is formed on the at least one of the first surface and the second surface such that the first coating covers each of the at least one channel. The second coating is formed on the first edge surface and the second edge surface. Each of the at least one channel has a semi-circular shape and extends along the at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A metal-supported anode for a solid oxide fuel cell is provided that includes a metal substrate having at least one hole formed therein, and an anode material formed on a first surface of the metal substrate. The anode material is also formed within each of the at least one hole. The at least one hole extends from the first surface of the metal substrate to a second surface of the metal substrate opposite the first surface, and the at least one hole has a different size at the first surface of the metal substrate than at the second surface of the metal substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle oxygen generating system includes a heat source, a power source, a vehicle air handling assembly of a vehicle air conditioning system, an H2O source and an electrochemical oxygen producing device. The oxygen producing device is connected to the H2O source receiving H2O therefrom. The oxygen producing device uses heat from the heat source and electricity from the power source to produce H2 and O2 from H2O. The O2 produced by the oxygen producing device is directed to the vehicle air handling assembly and moved into a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Abstract: A solid oxide electrochemical device comprises a solid electrolyte layer, the first surface and second surface having surface pores formed therein; a first composite electrolyte layer composed of metal and a solid electrolyte and having a first porosity; a second composite electrolyte layer composed of metal and the solid electrolyte and having the first porosity, the solid electrolyte layer sandwiched between the first composite electrolyte layer and the second composite electrolyte layer; a cathode on one of the first composite electrolyte layer and the second composite electrolyte layer; and an anode on another of the first composite electrolyte layer and the second composite electrolyte layer. The anode comprises an anode metal layer comprising pores; anode active material; and reforming catalyst, wherein the anode active material and the reforming catalyst line walls of the pores in the anode metal layer.

Abstract: A battery housing is configured to encase multiple battery cells comprises a supercapacitor shell. The supercapacitor shell comprises two layers each of carbon fiber reinforced with plastic; an electrode between the two layers, the electrode comprising negative electrode material, positive electrode material, and an electrolyte; a positive electrode terminal connected to the carbon fiber of one of the two layers; and a negative electrode terminal connected to the carbon fiber of another of the two layers. Edges of the two layers are laminated together to contain the electrode with the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal extending external to the laminated edges.

Abstract: A cathode is provided that includes a lithium-ion conductive material, at least one carbon support structure at least partially embedded within the lithium-ion conductive material, and cathode active material particles. The cathode active material particles are provided within and on a surface of each of the at least one carbon support structure. A solid-state battery is also provided that includes the cathode in which cathode active materials are provided within and on a surface of each of the at least one carbon support structure, and the at least one carbon support structure is at least partially embedded within the lithium-ion conductive material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising a first anode metal, an anode current collector, a cathode comprising a first cathode metal, a cathode current collector, and an electrolyte layer between the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte layer comprises a mesoporous material of polymer or glass and a salt electrolyte filling pores of the mesoporous material, wherein the pores are interconnected and the salt electrolyte is a salt of the first anode metal.

Abstract: A cathode having a tandem electrocatalyst structure is provided. The cathode includes a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other, a layer formed on a surface of each of the plurality of wires, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the layer. Each of the plurality of wires includes a first perovskite material or a metal. The layer includes a second perovskite material. Each of the nanoparticles includes a metal oxide.

Abstract: An anode layer for a solid oxide electrochemical device comprises a metal support structure having an electrolyte-facing surface and a gas distribution-facing surface, the metal support structure defining pores having a pore diameter, anode catalyst supported within the metal support structure, channels formed within the gas distribution-facing surface of the metal support structure, and a first reformer catalyst deposited onto surfaces of the metal support structure defining the channels, the first reformer catalyst having a diameter greater than the pore diameter. The anode layer can further comprise a second reformer catalyst, with the first reformer catalyst reforming a first fuel and the second reformer catalyst reforming a second fuel.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell features a functional layer for reducing interfacial resistance between the cathode and the solid electrolyte.