Fuel Cell Solid Electrolyte Reinforcement for Cracking Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of solid electrolyte layer thickness in fuel cells improves power generation performance but compromises strength, leading to cracking risks.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell design with a solid electrolyte layer thickness of 30 µm or less, reinforced by additional layers to enhance strength and prevent cracking, while maintaining power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer is reduced to improve power generation performance, then ion conduction and power generation performance improve, but the strength of the solid electrolyte layer decreases and cracking risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the solid electrolyte layer with a reinforcement layer made of different materials (such as ceramic fibers or composite structures) that provide enhanced mechanical strength. This composite structure allows the thin solid electrolyte layer to maintain its ion conduction performance while the reinforcement layer prevents cracking and provides structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement specifically at critical locations where cracking is most likely to occur, such as at the edges or high-stress areas of the solid electrolyte layer. The reinforcement layer is strategically positioned to provide local strength enhancement without affecting the overall thinness and ion conduction properties of the electrolyte layer.
2Productivity
If the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer is reduced to 30 μm or less, then power generation performance improves, but the reliability and resistance to cracking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to create a multi-layer structure where the thin solid electrolyte layer (30 μm or less) is combined with a reinforcement layer that provides crack resistance. This composite structure enables the cell to achieve high power generation performance through the thin electrolyte while maintaining long-term reliability through the reinforcement layer's ability to prevent cracking during operation.
3Strength
If additional reinforcement layers are added to prevent cracking, then strength and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement only where it is most needed - at the solid electrolyte layer and in critical stress areas - rather than uniformly throughout the entire cell structure. This localized approach enhances strength and prevents cracking while minimizing the increase in device complexity by avoiding unnecessary reinforcement in low-stress regions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively improves power generation performance and long-term reliability by preventing cracking in fuel cells, even with thin solid electrolyte layers.
Implementation Method 1
ion conduction improves and fuel cell power generation performance improves as the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer decreases
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3G
AI summary
Problem: To provide a cell capable of suppressing cracking, a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device. SOLUTION: The cell of the present invention comprises a first layer (7), in a region of a solid electrolyte layer (4) devoid of a second electrode layer (6). The first layer (7) contains an oxide as a primary component with a content of the rare earth element, the content different from a content of the rare earth element in the solid electrolyte layer (4). The oxide is same as an oxide contained as a primary component in the solid electrolyte layer (4). and the first layer (7) has a higher strength than the solid electrolyte layer (4). Furthermore, the cell stack device of the present invention comprises a plurality of these cells 100, 200, and 300, and is configured to electrically connect the plurality of cells. Furthermore, the module of the present invention is configured to house the cell stack device in a housing container. Additionally, the module housing device of the present invention is configured to house the above module and an auxiliary device for actuating the module in an exterior case.