Abstract: A method and system of authenticating a user logon builds a user logon profile with a plurality of user logon features gathered during at least one successful attempted user logon, determines a logon feature novelty score for each feature, receives a user logon request for authentication and extracts current user logon features, retrieves corresponding logon feature novelty scores, determines a first distance function score for the corresponding logon feature novelty scores of the current user logon features, builds a failed logon attempt database, determines a failed logon feature novelty score, extracts the failed logon feature novelty scores corresponding to current user logon features, determines a second distance function score for the corresponding failed logon feature novelty scores of the current user logon features, and determining to one of allow or deny the user logon request based on at least one of the first distance function score and the second distance function score.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes an ionically-conductive proton exchange membrane. Further, the MEA includes an anode contacting a first side of the membrane. The anode includes an anode gas diffusion layer (GDL). Further, the anode includes a first anode catalyst layer containing first catalyst particles, a hydrophobic polymer bonding agent, and a first ionomer bonding agent that lacks functional chains on a molecular backbone. The anode also includes a second anode catalyst layer containing second catalyst particles and a second ionomer bonding agent that includes functional chains on a molecular backbone. The MEA also includes a cathode contacting a second side of the membrane and comprising third catalyst particles and a cathode GDL.

Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes compressing an interconnect powder to form an interconnect, the interconnect power containing Cr, Fe and at least one transition metal selected from Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, or V pre-alloyed with at least one of the Cr and the Fe, and sintering the interconnect.

Abstract: A fuel cell system performance recovery method includes applying a DC current load pulse waveform to one or more of the fuel cells for a recovery period sufficient to desorb a contaminant from the one or more fuel cells.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes an ionically-conductive proton exchange membrane, an anode contacting a first side of the membrane and a cathode contacting a second side of the membrane and including third catalyst particles and a cathode GDL. The anode includes an anode gas diffusion layer (GDL), a first anode catalyst layer containing first catalyst particles, a hydrophobic polymer bonding agent, and a first ionomer bonding agent that lacks functional chains on a molecular backbone, and a second anode catalyst layer containing second catalyst particles and a second ionomer bonding agent that includes functional chains on a molecular backbone.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide (CO) tolerant membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes an ionically-conductive proton exchange membrane, an anode contacting a first side of the membrane and including a hydrophobic bonding agent, an ionomer bonding agent, first catalyst particles, second catalyst particles, and an anode gas diffusion layer (GDL), a cathode contacting a second side of the membrane and including a cathode GDL. The first catalyst particles are configured to preferentially catalyze oxidation of CO, and the second catalyst particles are configured to preferentially catalyze generation of hydrogen ions.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method, the system including power generating fuel cells disposed in a stack, each power generating fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, a sensing fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, and a fuel processor configured to purify a fuel provided to the power generating fuel cells and the sensing fuel cell. The anode of the sensing fuel cell is thinner than the anodes of the power generating fuel cells.

Abstract: A buffer layer between an interconnect and an electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell, the buffer layer having a gradient in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), wherein the buffer layer minimizes electrolyte damage due to a difference in CTE between the interconnect and electrolyte.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system and method, the system including a hotbox containing a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply configured to provide a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and a blower configured to provide air to the fuel cell stack. During a shutdown operation, the blower is configured to cool the fuel cell stack at a rate ranging from about 0.75° C./min to about 3.0° C./min, until the temperature of the fuel cell stack is reduced to a temperature at which oxidation of anodes of the fuel cell stack is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method, the system including power generating fuel cells disposed in a stack, each power generating fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, a sensing fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, and a fuel processor configured to purify a fuel provided to the power generating fuel cells and the sensing fuel cell. The anode of the sensing fuel cell is thinner than the anodes of the power generating fuel cells.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, system including the same, and method of using the same, the fuel cell including an electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode. The anode includes a first layer including a metallic phase and a ceramic phase, and a second layer including a metallic phase. The metallic phase of the second layer includes a metal catalyst and a dopant selected from Al, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Nb, Pr, Ti, V, W, or Zr, any oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. The second layer may also include a ceramic phase including ytterbia-ceria-scandia-stabilized zirconia (YCSSZ).

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte and an anode electrode containing a first portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase and a second portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The SOFC is an electrolyte-supported SOFC and the first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The first portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 5-30 volume percent and the second portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 31-60 volume percent.

Abstract: A buffer layer between an interconnect and an electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell, the buffer layer having a gradient in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), wherein the buffer layer minimizes electrolyte damage due to a difference in CTE between the interconnect and electrolyte.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, system including the same, and method of using the same, the fuel cell including an electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode. The anode includes a first layer including a metallic phase and a ceramic phase, and a second layer including a metallic phase. The metallic phase of the second layer includes a metal catalyst and a dopant selected from Al, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Nb, Pr, Ti, V, W, or Zr, any oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. The second layer may also include a ceramic phase including ytterbia-ceria-scandia-stabilized zirconia (YCSSZ).

Abstract: A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system which contains a plurality of SOFCs having cermet anode electrodes includes operating the SOFC system above 760° C. to generate electricity and intentionally oxidizing the cermet anode electrodes at a temperature of at least 760° C. when the SOFC system stops operating to generate electricity.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte and an anode electrode containing a first portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase and a second portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The SOFC is an electrolyte-supported SOFC and the first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The first portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 5-30 volume percent and the second portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 31-60 volume percent.