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.

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.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a large-area thin-film solid oxide fuel cell, the method including: preparing an anode support slurry, an anode functional layer slurry, an electrolyte slurry, and a buffer layer slurry for tape casting; preparing an anode support green film, an anode functional layer green film, an electrolyte green film, and a buffer layer green film by tape casting the slurries onto carrier films; staking the green films, followed by hot press and warm iso-static press (WIP), to prepare a laminated body; and co-sintering the laminated body.

Materials for electrochemical cells are provided. BaZr.sub.0.4Ce.sub.0.4M.sub.0.2O.sub.3 compounds, where M represents one or more rare earth elements, are provided for use as electrolytes. PrBa.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.2−xFe.sub.xO.sub.5+δ is provided for use as a cathode. Also provided are electrochemical cells, such as protonic ceramic fuel cells, incorporating the compounds as electrolytes and cathodes.

Materials for electrochemical cells are provided. BaZr.sub.0.4Ce.sub.0.4M.sub.0.2O.sub.3 compounds, where M represents one or more rare earth elements, are provided for use as electrolytes. PrBa.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.2−xFe.sub.xO.sub.5+δ is provided for use as a cathode. Also provided are electrochemical cells, such as protonic ceramic fuel cells, incorporating the compounds as electrolytes and cathodes.

A fuel cell 1 includes a silicon substrate 2, a porous support material layer 5, a plurality of holes 60 or columns 40, and a stacked body. The stacked body includes an upper electrode layer 10, a solid electrolyte layer 100 and a lower electrode layer 20. The upper electrode layer 10 is also formed on a surface parallel to a main surface of the silicon substrate 2 in a manner of being continuous to the upper electrode layer 10 formed in the plurality of holes 60 or columns 40, or the lower electrode layer 20 is also formed on a surface parallel to the main surface of the silicon substrate 2 in a manner of being continuous to the lower electrode layer 20 formed in the plurality of holes 60 or columns 40. The stacked body is supported by the porous support material layer 5 in at least upper end portions and lower end portions of the plurality of holes 60 or columns 40.

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.