Patent ID: 7314678

Claim:
A solid oxide fuel cell device comprising: (a) zirconia based electrolyte; (b) at least one electrode situated on said electrolyte; (c) a non-electrically active component wherein the component is not in contact with electrodes and thereby not conductive and said component comprising at least one metal or metal oxide capable of, at temperatures of above 625° C., (i) migrating to the surface of said component, and (ii) being re-deposited on said at least one electrode; and (d) the electrolyte comprises an edge, said electrolyte edge situated over the non-electrically active component (e) a protective coating situated on at least one surface of said component, said coating substantially preventing said at least one metal or metal oxide from leaving the surface, of said component, which is situated under said protective coating, said protective coating also being substantially impermeable to oxygen, wherein said protective coating is less than 100 μm thick.