Textured solid oxide fuel cell having reduced polarization losses

Abstract

An improved SOFC including textural features pressed into a structural anode and electrolyte bi-layer laminate to increase the active surface area of the finished fuel cell anode and cathode. This arrangement reduces current losses from ohmic, concentration, and activation polarization. In a presently preferred embodiment, an array of dimples is formed during manufacture of the bi-layer laminate by isostatically pressing an array of steel balls against the laminate before firing thereof. The dimples or other features may be varied in depth and spacing as may be desired to optimize gas flow through the SOFC and fuel efficiency thereof. The array may be close-spaced or not and may have any desired geometric packing form, including rectangular and hexagonal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.