Next‑Generation Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Paradigm‑Shifting Materials, Architectures, and Systems

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an attractive technology that combines fuel flexibility with high efficiency and low emissions. The promise of SOFCs has been shown in lab scale studies and in commercial deployments like grid support, industrial power, and data centers (see IDTechEx report: https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/solid-oxide-fuel-cells-2023-2033-technology-applications-and-market-forecasts/935). However, SOFCs are still on the performance improvement curve, and much greater impact is feasible with advancements. Continued research and development is required to meet increasing energy storage and conversion needs, and to enable integration into hybrid energy storage systems. Advances in materials, manufacturing methods, and modelling will pave the way for the next generation of SOFCs with widespread use in the industrial, residential, transportation, and aerospace sectors.Goal:This Research Topic bridges laboratory innovation and deployed systems, highlighting materials, manufacturing, and architectures alongside system level optimization, modelling, and integration. The goal is to showcase advances that enable higher power and energy density, lower temperature operation, enhanced durability, rapid start up, capable duty cycling, fuel flexibility, and device integration.Scope and Information for Authors: We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives spanning fundamental advances and translational studies that accelerate SOFCs from lab to real world solutions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• New electrolytes, electrodes, and interconnects; improved interfaces and catalysis; tolerance to contaminants and redox stability• Emerging designs like single layer SOFCs, protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs), reversible SOFCs (RSOCs), and intermediate temperature (IT) SOFCs• Advanced manufacturing of SOFCs• In situ and operando characterization; impedance analysis; multi scale modelling; AI and machine learning for materials and process optimization• Hybrid systems (combined heat and power, fuel cell–battery, fuel cell–turbine); operation on ammonia, natural gas, and biogas; controls, grid services, techno economic and life cycle assessmentSubmissions that quantify performance, cost, and sustainable design principles, like reutilization of materials, are especially welcome, as are submissions that elucidate factors enabling commercialization. Topic editors: Jay Deiner, Naeemakhtar Momin, Douglas Dudis Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75273/next-generation-solid-oxide-fuel-cells-paradigm-shifting-materials-architectures-and-systems