Abstract: The invention comprises of an electrically conducting doped or admixed cerium oxide composition with niobium oxide and/or tantalum oxide for electrochemical devices, characterized by the general formula:Nb.sub.x Ta.sub.y Ce.sub.1-x-y O.sub.2where x is about 0.0 to 0.05, y is about 0.0 to 0.05, and x+y is about 0.02 to 0.05, and where x is preferably about 0.02 to 0.05 and y is 0, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A dense, substantially gas-tight electrically conductive interconnection layer is formed on an air electrode structure of an electrochemical cell by (A) providing an air electrode surface; (B) forming on a selected portion of the electrode surface, a layer of doped LaCrO.sub.3 particles doped with an element or elements selected from Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, Co, Ni, Al and mixtures thereof by thermal spraying doped LaCrO.sub.3 particles, either by plasma arc spraying or flame spraying; (C) depositing a mixture of CaO and Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 on the surface of the thermally sprayed layer; and (D) heating the doped LaCrO.sub.3 layer coated with CaO and Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 surface deposit at from about 1000.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to substantially close the pores, at least at a surface, of the thermally sprayed doped LaCrO.sub.3 layer. The result is a dense, substantially gas-tight, highly doped, electrically conductive interconnection material bonded to the electrode surface.

Abstract: In the method of operating an electrochemical cell generator apparatus containing a generator chamber (20) containing an array of cells (12) having interior and exterior electrodes with solid electrolyte between the electrodes, where a hot gas (F) contacts the outside of the cells (12) and the generating chamber normally operates at over 850.degree. C., where N.sub.2 gas is fed to contact the interior electrode of the cells (12) in any case when the generating chamber (20) temperature drops for whatever reason to within the range of from 550.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., to eliminate cracking within the cells (12).

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is made having a porous cermet electrode (16) and a porous lanthanum manganite electrode (14), with solid oxide electrolyte (15) between them, where the lanthanum manganite surface next to the electrolyte contains a thin discontinuous layer of high surface area cerium oxide and/or praseodymium oxide, preferably as discrete particles (30) in contact with the air electrode and electrolyte.

Abstract: Migration and/or dissolution of Ni from the cathode of a molten carbonate fuel cell is retarded by the incorporation of a constituent adapted to effect such retardation.

Abstract: An electrochemical generator apparatus (30) is constructed containing an electrochemical cell assembly which contains a plurality of electrochemical cells or cell bundles (41) and (43) and insulation materials in the form of at least one of porous partition boards (33) between cell bundles, porous generator insulation (44), porous cell support boards (45), porous fuel entry distribution boards (35), and porous fuel conditioner boards (53), where a gaseous fuel (46) containing hydrocarbons will contact the insulation materials, characterized in that at least one of the insulation materials is impregnated with metal atom containing material, where the metal is selected from the group consisting of (A) metals selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca-Al combinations, Sr-Al combinations, Ce, Ba, and mixtures thereof, and, (A) metals plus Ni. The impregnated insulation materials may also be pre-heated in air so that the oxides are formed prior to their insertion into the generator apparatus.

Abstract: An electrochemical generator apparatus (30) is constructed containing one or more electrochemical cells (10), the cells containing a porous fuel electrode (18), a porous air electrode (14), and solid oxide electrolyte (16) disposed therebetween, where the fuel electrode is impregnated with chemicals which form metal oxides upon heating, where the metal of the oxide is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca plus Al, Sr plus Al, Zr, Y, Ce, and their mixtures; and where these electrochemical cells are contacted with a hydrocarbon fuel gas and operated at over 800.degree. C., and where the metal oxides are effective in preventing cell deterioration due to carbon deposition from the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is made of a containment vessel (30) optional ceramic material within the containment vessel and including one or more electrochemical cells (10), the cells containing a porous exposed electrode (11) in contact with a solid electrolyte, where at least one of the exposed electrode, the containment vessel, and the optional ceramic material contains a deposit selected from metal oxide and metal salt capable of forming a metal oxide upon heating, where the metal is selected from the group consisting of Ce, Sm, Mg, Be, Ca, Sr, Ti, Zr, Hf, Y, La, Pr, Nb, Pm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, U, and their mixtures.

Abstract: A dense, electronically conductive interconnection layer 26 is bonded onto a porous, tubular, electronically conductive air electrode structure 16, optionally supported by a ceramic support 22, by (A) providing an air electrode surface, (B) forming on a selected portion of the electrode surface 24, without the use of pressure, particles of LaCrO.sub.3 doped with an element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Mg, Ca, Ba, Co, and mixtures thereof, where the particles have a deposit on their surface comprising calcium oxide and chromium oxide; (C) heating the particles with the oxide surface deposit in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 1,300.degree. C. to 1,550.degree. C., without the application of pressure, to provide a dense, sintered, interconnection material 26 bonded to the air electrode 16, where calcium and chromium from the surface deposit are incorporated into the structure of the LaCrO.sub.3.

Abstract: A nickel anode electrode fabricated by oxidizing a nickel alloying material to produce a material whose exterior contains nickel oxide and whose interior contains nickel metal throughout which is dispersed the oxide of the alloying material and by reducing and sintering the oxidized material to form a product having a nickel metal exterior and an interior containing nickel metal throughout which is dispersed the oxide of the alloying material.