Patent ID: 8614026

Claim:
A fuel cell device comprising: a ceramic support structure having an interior structure defined by an exterior surface and having a reaction zone configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and having at least a first active layer within the interior structure in the reaction zone, the first active layer comprising: a ceramic electrolyte layer, a plurality of spaced apart first electrodes positioned on a first side of the ceramic electrolyte layer, and a plurality of spaced apart second electrodes positioned on a second side of the ceramic electrolyte layer, wherein the first electrodes are opposite in polarity to the second electrodes, each being selected from anodes and cathodes, and wherein each one of the plurality of spaced apart first electrodes is in opposing relation to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart second electrodes with the ceramic electrolyte layer therebetween, each opposing first and second electrode forming an active cell whereby a plurality of spaced apart active cells are positioned across the first active layer; and a plurality of conductive elements extending within the interior structure between the plurality of spaced apart active cells wherein each of the plurality of conductive elements physically contacts the first electrode of one active cell, extends through the ceramic electrolyte layer in the space adjacent the one active cell, and physically contacts the second electrode of the adjacent spaced apart active cell thereby connecting the plurality of active cells in series in the first active layer, the fuel cell device further comprising one or more additional active layers identical to and stacked upon the first active layer within the interior structure in spaced relation and with alternating polarity, wherein a first gas passage is positioned adjacent each plurality of spaced apart first electrodes and a second gas passage is positioned adjacent each plurality of spaced apart second electrodes thereby providing the spaced relation, wherein the plurality of spaced apart first electrodes of adjacent active layers are in opposing relation with the first gas passage shared therebetween, and the plurality of spaced apart second electrodes of adjacent active layers are in opposing relation with the second gas passage shared therebetween.