Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solid oxide fuel cell that includes the steps of: (a) inputting raw materials for a layer of the solid oxide fuel cell into a screw extruder; (b) mixing the raw materials into a mixture as the raw materials pass through the screw extruder; (c) de-airing the mixture of raw materials as the raw materials pass through the screw extruder; and (d) extruding, the mixture through an opening at a downstream end of the screw extruder. The screw extruder may be a twin-screw extruder.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode is disclosed. The fuel cell also includes an anode interconnect disposed adjacent to the anode and a brazing material disposed between the anode interconnect and the anode to bond the anode interconnect to the anode. A method of assembling a fuel cell including forming a package of an anode and an electrolyte is also disclosed. It further includes heating the package with a brazing material disposed adjacent to the anode to bond the anode to an interconnect. Another method of assembling a fuel cell including forming a package of an anode, an interconnect and a cathode is also disclosed. The method also includes heating the package with a brazing material disposed adjacent to the anode and the cathode to bond the anode and the cathode to an interconnect.

Abstract: A method for protecting a thermal barrier coating (TBC) which comprises voids is described. The method involves the step of electrophoretically depositing a mitigation coating material such as alumina to fill at least a portion of the voids. The TBC is often applied over a metal substrate, such as a turbine engine component. The voids can be in the form of vertical cracks within the TBC. A thermal barrier coating is also described, containing voids which extend into the coating from a top surface, wherein at least a portion of the voids is filled with a mitigation coating material.

Abstract: Methods for coating a substrate, such as a turbine engine component, are presented. In one method a preform comprising braze alloy and wear-resistant particles is attached to the substrate. The preform is then bonded to the substrate to form the wear-resistant coating. Other embodiments include articles, such as components for gas turbine engines, comprising a wear-resistant coating disposed on a substrate, the wear-resistant coating comprising wear-resistant particles in a braze alloy matrix.

Abstract: An article is described, which includes a metal-based substrate and an oxidation-resistant coating bonded to the substrate by a bonding agent, such as a braze material. The oxidation-resistant coating material is often an aluminide- or MCrAlX-type coating, and can be one which contains relatively high amounts of aluminum. The coating is often very smooth, for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The oxidation-resistant coating can be applied and bonded to the substrate by a variety of methods, using slurries, braze tapes, or metal foils. Coating repair methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of providing turbulation on the inner surface of a passage hole (e.g., a turbine cooling hole) is described. The turbulation is first applied to a substrate which can eventually be inserted into the passage hole. The substrate is often a bar or tube, formed of a sacrificial material. After the turbulation is applied to the substrate, the substrate is inserted into the passage hole. The turbulation material is then fused to the inner surface, using a conventional heating technique. The sacrificial substrate can then be removed from the hole by various techniques. Related articles are also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a separating structure configured for separating a first reactant and a second reactant wherein the separating structure has an opening therein. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a passage configured to introduce the second reactant to the second electrode. The electrolyte is bonded to the separating structure with the first electrode being situated within the opening, and the second electrode being situated within the passage.

Abstract: An article is described, which includes a metal-based substrate and an oxidation-resistant coating bonded to the substrate by a bonding agent, such as a braze material. The oxidation-resistant coating material is often an aluminide- or MCrAlX-type coating, and can be one which contains relatively high amounts of aluminum. The coating is often very smooth, for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The oxidation-resistant coating can be applied and bonded to the substrate by a variety of methods, using slurries, braze tapes, or metal foils. Coating repair methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.