An electrochemical reaction unit cell including an electrolyte layer containing Zr, an anode disposed on one side of the electrolyte layer in a first direction, a cathode containing Sr and disposed on another side of the electrolyte layer in the first direction, and a reaction preventing layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the cathode. The reaction preventing layer contains Zr in an amount of 0.015 wt % to 1 wt %.

High energy rechargeable batteries employing catalyzed molten nitrate positive electrodes and alkali metal negative electrodes are disclosed. Novel and advantageous aspects of the present invention are enabled by the provision catalytically active materials that support the reversible formation of NO.sub.3.sup. from O.sup.2 and NO.sub.2.sup. during battery charging. Such catalytically active materials allow highly efficient cycling and selectively eliminate irreversible side reactions that occur when cycling without such catalysts.

A proton-conductive electrochemical device. The device comprising a positive electrode able to reduce an oxidizing species, a negative electrode able to oxidize a reducing species, and a proton-conductive electrolyte, in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. In addition, the device further comprises a layer able to diffuse protons and electrons, said layer forming a protective barrier against contaminants for the proton-conductive electrolyte. The layer is in contact with the proton-conductive electrolyte on the one hand and the negative electrode on the other hand. A method for manufacturing such device is also provided.

Nickel based catalyst structures are described herein that include a plurality of metal oxides formed as crystalline phases within the catalyst structures. Each metal oxide of a catalyst structure includes nickel and/or aluminum, where one or more metal oxides includes a nickel aluminum oxide, and the one or more nickel aluminum oxides is greater than 50% by weight of the catalyst structure. The catalyst structures further have surface areas of at least 13 m.sup.2/g. The catalyst structures are resistant to high concentrations of sulfur and are effective in reforming operations for converting methane and other light hydrocarbons to hydrogen and one or more other components. For example, the catalyst structures are effective in coal and biomass gasification systems for the forming and cleanup of synthetic gas.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a protonic ceramic fuel cell, more particularly to a method for manufacturing a protonic ceramic fuel cell, which includes an electrolyte layer with a dense structure and has very superior interfacial bonding between the electrolyte layer and a cathode layer.

A fuel cell electrode comprises a three-dimensional porous composite structure comprising a porous structure comprising a plurality of metal ligaments and a plurality of pores; and at least one carbon nanotube structure embedded in the porous structure and comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged along a same direction.

A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode that includes a porous layer including an electron conductive ceramics and an oxygen ion conductive ceramics, the porous layer of the anode being impregnated with an anode catalyst, an electrolyte layer that is provided on the anode and includes a solid oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, and a cathode that is provided on the electrolyte layer and has a porous layer including an electron conductive ceramics and an oxygen ion conductive ceramics, the porous layer of the cathode being impregnated with a cathode catalyst.

A solid oxide cell stack includes a plurality of interconnects, a first solid oxide cell disposed between the plurality of interconnects and including a first fuel electrode, a first electrolyte, and a first air electrode, and a second solid oxide cell disposed to be adjacent to the first solid oxide cell in a lateral direction between the plurality of interconnects and including a second fuel electrode, a second electrolyte, and a second air electrode, wherein an operating temperature of the first solid oxide cell is higher than an operating temperature of the second solid oxide cell.

Provided are an air electrode composite, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical cell including the same. Specifically, an air electrode composite in which electron conductive nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surface of an oxygen ion conductive porous structure, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical cell including the same are provided.

A system and a method are provided for producing electricity and/or chemicals. The system includes a gasifier, a controller, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power unit, and a chemical synthesis unit. The gasifier converts a fossil fuel, oxygen, and water into a syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The controller is used to control distribution of the hydrogen into a first portion and a second portion. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power unit receives the first portion of hydrogen and compressed air or oxygen, and generates electricity using the first portion of hydrogen. The chemical synthesis unit receives the second portion of hydrogen. The second portion of hydrogen is used for chemical synthesis.