Multicomponent scales, ceramics

Solution chemistry remains attractive as an inexpensive technique useful for processing ceramics, fibers or coatings, even on a large scale not possible with evaporation techniques. However, the application of these solution techniques to multicomponent systems has rarely been attempted. A better basic understanding of all reaction steps from the solution to the ceramic is needed before a real improvement in the process will be possible. 

Ceramics are often multicomponent systems knowing the average composition may not be too useful. So we may need local compositional analysis on a scale that may be in the nanometer range. 

Based on equivalent circuit models of the cell component resistances [66], maximum ceU performance of SC-SOFCs with coplanar electrodes is predicted for very small electrode widths (6-10 pm) and gap sizes (2-12 pm). Performance comparisons of macro-, miUi-, and microcells [71] revealed a 10 times higher power density for the micro SC-SOFC which had smaller inter-electrode gaps and electrode widths. As closely spaced small-scale electrodes lower the ohmic resistance and the inter-digitated electrode pattern maximizes the electrode surface area, miniaturization of SC-SOFCs with coplanar, interdigitated electrodes is expected to yield suitable cell performance for small- and microscale power applications. The fabrication of microcells (Figure 2.3) presents many challenges and requires the manufacturing of coplanar microscale electrode patterns from multicomponent ceramic materials. 

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