Stacked bodies each formed by alternately stacking power generation cells and separators are fixed to an end plate, the separators each having a flow passage portion, a gas flow-in port, and a gas flow-out port. The end plate includes upper and lower end plates sandwiching the stacked bodies. The stacked bodies are arranged side by side and a first thermal deformation absorbing portion configured to absorb thermal deformation in a direction orthogonal to a stacking direction is formed between the stacked bodies. Fixing means for fixing the stacked bodies to the end plate fix at least outer peripheral portions of the stacked bodies arranged side by side to the end plate.

A cell includes a support substrate that is of a flat plate shape that includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface on an opposite side of the first principal surface and a columnar shape that includes a longitudinal direction and includes a gas flow path in an inside thereof, and a plurality of element parts that are arranged away from one another on the first principal surface and the second principal surface where at least a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte film, and an air electrode are laminated thereon. The cell includes a first portion that is located on a side of the first principal surface with respect to the gas flow path and a second portion that is located on a side of the second principal surface with respect to the gas flow path. Structures of the first portion and the second portion are asymmetric.

A cell includes a support substrate that is of a flat plate shape that includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface on an opposite side of the first principal surface and a columnar shape that includes a longitudinal direction and includes a gas flow path in an inside thereof, and a plurality of element parts that are arranged away from one another on the first principal surface and the second principal surface where at least a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte film, and an air electrode are laminated thereon. The cell includes a first portion that is located on a side of the first principal surface with respect to the gas flow path and a second portion that is located on a side of the second principal surface with respect to the gas flow path. Structures of the first portion and the second portion are asymmetric.

A cell stack device includes a fuel cell, a first separator and a first bonding member. The fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte and a cathode that is provided on one surface of the solid electrolyte. The first separator includes a protrusion that protrudes towards the cathode. The first bonding member bonds the cathode and the first protrusion. The thickness of a first bonding member that is positioned on an outer peripheral portion is greater than the thickness of a first bonding member that is positioned at a central portion.

A fuel cell unit that includes a support structure having a plurality of flow channels and an active layer membrane coupled with the support structure, the active layer membrane comprising at least one electrode layer. Each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is configured to direct one of air and fuel across at least one electrode layer of an active layer membrane to create electric current. Each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels includes at least one enhancement feature that is configured to disrupt a formation of a boundary layer near a surface of the active layer membrane where reactions occur. The plurality of flow channels can be positioned in a zig-zag configuration to allow for an increase in power density of the fuel cell unit.

A cell includes a support substrate, electricity generation element parts that are arrayed at locations on a principal face of the support substrate and include a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode, and electrical connection parts that are each provided between adjacent electricity generation element parts and electrically connect a fuel electrode of one of the electricity generation element parts and an air electrode of another of the electricity generation element parts, wherein an electrical connection part bridges over the adjacent electricity generation element parts and includes air electrode collector parts, and the air electrode collector parts include a first site on an electricity generation element part on a side of a first end, a second site on the electricity generation element part other than the third end part, and a third site on a side of a second end.

[Problem] Provided are a protective-layer-coated-interconnector, a cell stack, and a hydrogen energy system. A component (particularly Cr) of the interconnector is prevented from diffusing even if the interconnector is exposed to high temperature for a long time. The interconnector has sufficient diffusion barrier performance and protective performance even with a protective layer thinner than conventionally, is inhibited from being degraded through use, and has excellent electrical conductivity.

[Solution] A protective-layer-coated-interconnector including an interconnector material and a protective layer on the surface of the interconnector material, wherein the protective layer contains a metal layer constituted by a Group 11 element. A cell stack and a hydrogen energy system that each include this interconnector.

[Problem] Provided are a protective-layer-coated-interconnector, a cell stack, and a hydrogen energy system. A component (particularly Cr) of the interconnector is prevented from diffusing even if the interconnector is exposed to high temperature for a long time. The interconnector has sufficient diffusion barrier performance and protective performance even with a protective layer thinner than conventionally, is inhibited from being degraded through use, and has excellent electrical conductivity.

[Solution] A protective-layer-coated-interconnector including an interconnector material and a protective layer on the surface of the interconnector material, wherein the protective layer contains a metal layer constituted by a Group 11 element. A cell stack and a hydrogen energy system that each include this interconnector.

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 design of and the process for forming a rigidly bonded metal supported electro-chemical device stack is provided. The electro-chemical device stack can be a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolysis stack. The stack comprises multiple planar cells connected in serial by planar metal interconnects. The cells have metal support layers on both anode and cathode sides. The interconnect has gas channels embedded. Thin ceramic electro-chemical active electrodes and electrolyte are sandwiched between the metal support layers. The cells and interconnects are rigidly bonded to form a rigid body stack. The process comprises the steps of a). forming metal supported electro-chemical device cells with metal supports on both anode and cathode sides, b). sealing the peripherals of porous cell layers with an electrically insulating sealing material such as glass. c). bonding the cells and interconnects through commonly used metal-to-metal bonding methods, such as brazing or laser welding.