A solid oxide fuel cell includes an Si support substrate having a through hole, an electrolyte film formed on the surface of an Si support substrate and containing a solid oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, a first electrode formed on a surface of the electrolyte film (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second electrode formed at least on a surface exposed from the through hole in a rear face of the electrolyte film. The electrolyte film includes a porous layer including the solid oxide and containing pores inside, a first dense layer formed on a surface of the porous layer (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second dense layer formed at the interface between a rear face of the porous layer and the Si support substrate.

A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed herein. The fuel cell includes a silicon substrate, an electrolyte film laminated on the silicon substrate, and a gas flow path formed inside the silicon substrate. The electrolyte film is opposed to the gas flow path via an electrode film. A portion of a side wall of the gas flow path has a fillet shape, and the portion is close to the electrolyte film.

A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed herein. The fuel cell includes a silicon substrate, an electrolyte film laminated on the silicon substrate, and a gas flow path formed inside the silicon substrate. The electrolyte film is opposed to the gas flow path via an electrode film. A portion of a side wall of the gas flow path has a fillet shape, and the portion is close to the electrolyte film.

A solid oxide battery includes a solid electrolyte disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are coupled to an external source or load to charge or discharge the solid oxide battery. The solid electrolyte is formed from a proton conducting material to transport and store hydrogen, which is the source of chemical energy. The second electrode is formed from a noble metal configured to induce formation of oxygen vacancies at the interface between the second electrode and the solid electrolyte. The oxygen vacancies are used to split water molecules during charging of the solid oxide battery, which results in the generation of hydrogen. Under bias, the hydrogen ions are transported into the solid electrolyte and stored. During discharge, a reverse process occurs where hydrogen is used to generate water and electricity.

The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

A cell may include a columnar support having a first main face and a second main face; and an element comprising a first electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer laminated in sequence on the first main face of the support. The porosity of at least one of the two end portions of the support in the longitudinal direction L may be lower than that of the central portion of the support in the longitudinal direction L.

A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.

A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.

A cell of the present invention is obtained by locating a first electrode layer on a porous supporting body, a solid electrolyte layer that is formed of a ceramic on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the solid electrolyte layer, wherein an amount of Na in the supporting body is 3010.sup.6 mass % or less.