Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

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.

Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages. In other embodiments, fuel cell devices include second sub-passages for the active second gas passage and a second artery flow passage coupled thereto, and extending from either the first end or the second end into the reaction zone. In yet other embodiments, one or both electrodes of a fuel cell device are segmented.

Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.

A composite body including a substrate and a forming portion which is composed of a composite phase containing a perovskite oxide and a metal oxide different from the perovskite oxide and which is formed on the substrate. The composite body may be a composite body manufactured by a manufacturing method including a forming step of firing in an oxidizing atmosphere, a laminated body in which an inorganic raw material powder containing a compound powder and a metal powder is disposed on a substrate so as to form a forming portion composed of a composite phase containing a perovskite oxide and a metal oxide different from the perovskite oxide on the substrate.

A composite body including a substrate and a forming portion which is composed of a composite phase containing a perovskite oxide and a metal oxide different from the perovskite oxide and which is formed on the substrate. The composite body may be a composite body manufactured by a manufacturing method including a forming step of firing in an oxidizing atmosphere, a laminated body in which an inorganic raw material powder containing a compound powder and a metal powder is disposed on a substrate so as to form a forming portion composed of a composite phase containing a perovskite oxide and a metal oxide different from the perovskite oxide on the substrate.

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.