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Micro-solid oxide fuel cells: status, challenges, and chances

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Abstract

Abstract

Micro-solid oxide fuel cells (micro-SOFC) are predicted to be of high energy density and are potential power sources for portable electronic devices. A micro-SOFC system consists of a fuel cell comprising a positive electrode-electrolyte-negative electrode (i.e. PEN) element, a gas-processing unit, and a thermal system where processing is based on micro-electro-mechanical-systems fabrication techniques. A possible system approach is presented. The critical properties of the thin film materials used in the PEN membrane are discussed, and the unsolved subtasks related to micro-SOFC membrane development are pointed out. Such a micro-SOFC system approach seems feasible and offers a promising alternative to state-of-the-art batteries in portable electronics.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support from the following Swiss institutions for the ONEBAT and NANCER projects is gratefully acknowledged: Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI), Competence Centre for Energy and Mobility (CCEM), Competence Centre for Materials Science and Technology (CCMX), Bundesamt für Energie (BfE), and Swiss Electric Research (SER).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G536, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Anna Evans & Barbara Scherrer

  2. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G539, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Anja Bieberle-Hütter

  3. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G528, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Henning Galinski

  4. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G533, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Jennifer L. M. Rupp

  5. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G530, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Thomas Ryll & René Tölke

  6. Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, HCI G535, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Ludwig J. Gauckler

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  1. Anna Evans
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Correspondence to Anna Evans.

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Evans, A., Bieberle-Hütter, A., Galinski, H. et al. Micro-solid oxide fuel cells: status, challenges, and chances. Monatsh Chem 140, 975–983 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-009-0107-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-009-0107-9

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