Bipolar Plate-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Auxiliary Power Units

Abstract

This paper presents an advanced design and fabrication concept for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The concept is based on a laminate repeat unit comprised of a thin electrolyte, cermet anode, metallic gas flow fields, and a metallic bipolar plate. The laminate is sintered in a singlestep process in a controlled atmosphere, and the cathode is applied and sintered in situ during the initial heating of the cell (or stack). Observations about the types of cracks that formed in the electrolyte during the sintering process guided the development of the sintering protocol to yield the desired product. Cells with power densities exceeding 250 mW/cm2 have been tested.