SBIR Phase I: A Novel Low-Cost Monolithic Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Design

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a planar monolithic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system fabricated by spray pyrolysis and sintering techniques. In our monolithic SOFC design, the selected cathode, electrolyte, and anode materials are chemically and mechanically compatible, with no concerns over undesired chemical interactions at the elevated operation temperatures, and almost no thermal expansion mismatch between the electrolyte and electrodes. This planar monolithic SOFC design also enables us to make the electrolyte layer in a thin film form, which will result in lower operating temperatures and a compact structure for portable SOFCs. Furthermore, the monolithic structure assures a low-cost manufacturing process. The proposed technology will have a great impact on the energy generation applications with practical SOFCs, which will be low-cost, reliable, and portable. The global market is expected to reach $335 millions by 2008, with an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 22.2% through the forecast period from 2003.