High performance solid electrolyte fuel cells

A solid oxide fuel cell comprising:

• a plurality of positive air electrodes and negative fuel electrodes, both the positive and negative electrodes having a composition comprising a conductive metal phase and a ceramic phase;
• a compliant electrolyte sheet interposed between the positive air electrodes and negative fuel electrodes, the positive air electrodes being bonded to a first side of the electrolyte sheet and the negative fuel electrodes being bonded to a second side of the electrolyte sheet;
• the positive and negative electrodes being in opposing positions across the electrolyte sheet to form a plurality of electrochemical cells on the sheet;
• and
• the plurality of cells being connected in electrical series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel by means of cell interconnects contacting the electrodes and traversing a plurality of vias formed in the electrolyte sheet.

A method of making an electrode/electrolyte structure for a solid oxide fuel cell comprising the steps of:

• providing a compliant ceramic electrolyte sheet comprising a plurality of vias therethrough;
• forming a plurality of cathode segments on a first side of the electrolyte sheet and a plurality of anode segments in opposition to the cathode segments on a second side of the electrolyte sheet;
• and
• forming electrically conducting interconnects traversing the vias from the first side to the second side, each interconnect being in contact with at least one cathode segment on the first side and at least one anode on the second side of the sheet.