MICRO FUEL CELL

摘要

Solid oxide fuel cells using thin film processing techniques. The fuel cell comprises a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an anode layer arranged in various configurations to optimize fuel cell performance, and may be housed in a single chamber (20) having one or more ports (22) for the introduction of fuel and/or oxidant to the apparatus and for the release of exhaust from the chamber. The fuel and oxidant can be mixed prior to delivery to chamber (20) to produce a gaseous mixture. Gas flows into the chamber via at least one port (22) into an open space (28) above fuel cell (10) in a direction (30). Connectors (24) connect the cathode (14) and anode (16) to an external load (26). The fuel cell operates when the external load (26) provides a flow of electrons to react with oxygen at the cathode layer (14 ), reducing the oxygen to oxygen anions. The oxygen anions then travel through the electrolyte layer (16) to anode layer (18), where the fuel becomes oxidized, liberating electrones.