This patented thin film solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology takes advantage NEMS/MEMS fabrication methods and nano-scaling effects to create a high efficiency electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell is designed with an architecture (either an array of nano-sized tubes or a patterned multilayer film) that provides structural strength to the membrane while reducing ionic conduction loss enhancing ionic conductivity and lowering electrical loss. In turn these features lower the operating temperature of the system and increase the reaction surface area. Together this simple fabrication process and thin nano-structured design enables micro-scale SOFCs. Applications: Solid oxide fuel cells - fabrication of thin film electrolyte and electrode structure.
1) Efficient: thin film structure reduces ionic conduction loss nanostructure enhances ionic conductivity increases reaction surface area and lowers electrical loss lower operating temperature 2) Simple fabrication of nanostructure: thin film deposition process adapted from MEMS/NEMS minimal amount of materials for deposition lowers fabrication costs 3) Strong - nano-architecture designed to increase mechanical strength