FIGURE 1. Schematic diagram of the cell configuration and reactor system used in the thermally self-sustaining micro-SOFCs.

a, The disc-shaped fuel cell comprises an SDC electrolyte ( 20 m) supported on an Ni + SDC anode (0.7 mm) with BSCF + SDC (70:30 wt%) as the cathode (5–10 m); a 10-m-thick Ru + CeO₂ catalyst layer was coated onto the entire anode surface, with the exception of about 0.2 cm² at the centre, over which the current collector (Ag paste) was placed; the entire cathode surface was covered with a layer of BSCF + Ag which served as the current collector (20–30 m). b, The fuel-cell reactor comprises a removable ceramic thermal insulator or blanket, an inner quartz tube, and an outer quartz tube for introducing the gas mixture for the fuel cell. Component dimensions (L, width; ID, inner diameter; OD, outer diameter) are as indicated.