Patent ID: 8067129

Claim:
A solid oxide fuel cell, comprising: a ceramic electrolyte having at least one fuel inlet or outlet riser opening; an anode contacting the electrolyte on a first side of the electrolyte; a cathode contacting the electrolyte on a second side opposite the first side; and a ceramic reinforcing region that is located adjacent to the riser opening; wherein: the ceramic reinforcing region is located at least partially around a circumference of the riser opening; the electrolyte comprises an active region and an inactive region; the anode and cathode contact the electrolyte at least partially on the active region of the electrolyte; the ceramic reinforcing region is located on the inactive region of the electrolyte; and a combined thickness of the electrolyte and the ceramic reinforcing region is thicker than a thickness of the active region and thicker than a thickness of the inactive region that does not contain the ceramic reinforcing region.