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Research paper : Challenge for the development of micro SOFC manufacturing technology (Y. Fujishiro et al.)−52−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.4 No.1 (2011) development will continue for easily usable and inexpensive SOFC module utilizing the advantages of high cell integration and rapid startup of the honeycomb micro SOFC, and our aim will be the increased generation performance of the module through seeking solutions for issues such as low temperature.The developed cell and integrated module technology was a unprecedented totally new ceramic integrated structure composed of small extruded members unseen before, and there were many comparisons with the conventional technology right from the start. Particularly, questions were raised concerning the generator density and generator module structure, that it may not be possible to create a generator module for practical use if the performance is merely the same as the current cells and integrated modules. On the other hand, the micro SOFC achieved the high power density of the same level as 800 °C in the low temperature range of 500−650 °C, and academically significant experimental results were accumulated since the strategic design ~ material and manufacture process technology ~ evaluation technology were rebuilt for the cell design and its realization. This technology realized the module structure for low temperature generation through electrical serial structure and sugar cube size 2 W/cm3 module. The expectations for a readily usable, compact SOFC module are high.5 Summary ~ Product realization and creation of a new marketIn the future energy-related manufacturing industry, the micro SOFC and integrated module technology is an important technology that utilizes the advanced ceramic materials and manufacturing technology at the level of nano-micro-macro size for which Japan takes the lead. On the other hand, the SOFC technology is mainly geared for the fixed power generation facilities. Our micro SOFC manufacturing technology has cleared the low temperature, rapid startup, sufficient output power, and compact size that are necessary for the module for power generation, future automobiles, portable generator technology, and is geared for new innovations and product development. At this point, the generator module fabrication for several tens W to several hundreds W level have been demonstrated. Currently, the technological issues according to usage are being organized, and developments are done toward high performance with multiple fuel and module fabrication at kW level. It is also possible to propose the usages to industry taking advantage of the characteristics of the micro SOFC. One proposal is the range extender technology using the vehicle-mounted power generator and hybrid technology that uses the internal combustion engine to extend the cruise distance of the electric vehicle that is now being developed aggressively[19]. Our compact generator module can be used in the power source technology as the high-efficiency generator module that can achieve the energy conversion efficiency of 50 % or above (well-to-wheel) that surpasses the limits of the internal combustion engine[19]. The development of fuel cells that do not dependent on hydrogen infrastructure using the advantages of SOFC multiple fuel use is drawing attention. In the future, further improvements must be made for the rapid startup/shutdown properties and the reliability of performance with multiple fuel use, and the technical issues for the requirements of the mobile generator module must be extracted and solved. The development of a safe and low-cost module is an important subject in the future nanotechnology material and manufacture. The priority will be to deliver the easy-to-use, low-cost fuel cell technology to as many industrial fields as possible, for the efficient use of resource and energy and for the realization of a low-carbon society. To do so, it is necessary to continue the development in many industrial fields for the new micro SOFC and its integrated module for which our experience was accumulated by tackling the problems at the center for the development Fig. 9 Honeycomb-type micro SOFC module capable of rapid operationa: Integrated cell with honeycomb structureb: Example of prototype module and connecting structurec, d: Rapid start-up and generation property through thermal history(b)(d)(c)(a)Connection at the edgeCurrentSilver-silica pasteGlassInterconnect3 minCurrent (A)Temperature (°C)Time (min)100080060040020000.30.20.1050403020100 Prototype serial module (30 W class)AnodeElectrolyteCathode3 min after start-upH2 flowTime (min)Temperature (°C)Temperature climb start100080060040020001.00.80.60.40.201214161086420Start-up voltage (V)1 µm1 mmHoneycomb wall

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