“Evolved Materials and Innovative Design for High Performance, Durable and Reliable SOFC Cell and Stack” Presentation and Status of the European Project EVOLVE

Beyond the state of the art, EVOLVE aims at the development of a new cell architecture for SOFC, combining benefits of existing Anode Supported (high power density, lifetime) and Metal Supported cell (redox stability) architectures, while limiting the issue of sulphur poisoning by using enhanced perovskite anode materials. The core component is based on a composite anode substrate made of porous Alumina forming alloy combined with an electron conducting oxide ceramic, without having Nickel as structural component. A first Anode/Electrolyte assembly based on a NiCrAl foam and La0,1Sr0,9TiO3-α has been produced by means of Vacuum Plasma Spraying, showing the feasibility of this cell concept. With a requirement of a low temperature process, the manufacturing of the electrolyte layer remains the key challenge. Work is under progress for the manufacturing and testing of the first full prototype.