Materials aspects of the SOFC

One major difference between the MCFC and SOFC technologies is that the MCFC uses readily available materials and predictable manufacturing technology, particularly in its use of sheet metal parts. In contrast, the prospects for manufacture of the SOFC are not very predictable, since it will require sophisticated ceramic fabrication techniques that go beyond the state of the art for production processes. Two versions of the SOFC technology exist. The first is a conservative version in pre prototype stage, whereas the second is an idea that is only in the design stage. Since the latter is only on the drawing board, any conclusions concerning its fabricability and performance will involve many technological extrapolations.