About this Research Topic
Electrochemical energy conversion systems such as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) offer higher efficiency when compared to any heat (combustion) engine. A SOFC system allows conversion of wide range of fuels such as hydrogen, hydrocarbon gases and biofuels into electrical power. The system operates at high temperatures (600 – 1000 °C) and uses three basic components: a porous anode, a dense solid ceramic electrolyte and a porous cathode. The high operating temperature enhances the system efficiency and provides an opportunity for waste heat recovery. Therefore, the high temperature fuel cell technology offers feasibility of large-scale electricity-generation applications. In addition, many researchers are also considering SOFC in automotive and portable applications.
With this Research Topic, our aim is to bring theoretical, numerical, and experimental research in the field of SOFC-related findings and problems, such as cell and stack modelling, system design, material durability and degradation, and performance and efficiency. From chemical synthesis of the materials to energy generation application, a variety of challenges is required to be addressed. Theoretical and numerical analysis may provide a direction for the experimental implementation. For instance, SOFC electrodes can be synthesized numerically by varying different parameters such as powder size and pore former content. In addition, SOFC performance degradation due to cell contamination from airborne contaminants also needs to be addressed. The electrochemical analysis of the performance of the system is another area to focus. Electrochemistry offers the potential to investigate the systems directly by analyzing the behavior of the electrons and ions. Therefore, a combination of theoretical, mathematical and experimental research will benefit the field of our interest.
This Research Topic encourages both original and review articles on the topic of SOFCs, focusing on development of the technology for industrial scale applications. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
• SOFC performance and efficiency
• Cell and stack modeling
• SOFC material degradation and durability
• SOFC cell interconnections
Keywords: Electrochemical Energy Conversion, Solid oxide fuel cell, Electrochemistry, Energy storage, Discrete element method (DEM)
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
