Toward the Miniaturization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Sustainable energy production, compatible with environment preservation, is one of the major problems to be tackled in the near future. The search for new energy production technologies as alternatives to fossil fuel combustion need to consider renewable sources. Fuel cells show potential because, depending on the type of fuel cells, they can be used not only for the production of stationary energy (mainly solid oxide fuel cells, or SOFCs), but also for mobile applications for vehicles and portable electronics (mainly polymer electrolyte fuel cells, or PEFCs). However, recently it has been demonstrated that SOFCs can be also used for mobile applications and are expected to produce energy densities per volume and specific energy per weight significantly larger than PEFCs and state-of-the-art rechargeable Li-ion and Ni metal hydride batteries. This article focuses on recent developments in the miniaturization of SOFCs, with a critical review of the obstacles to be overcome.