Idaho National Laboratory has been researching the application of solidoxide electrolysis cells for large-scale hydrogen production from steam over a temperature range of 800 to 900°C. This report summarizes the FY 2010 experimental program, which has focused on advanced cell and stack development and degradation studies.

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Advanced heat engines can produce fuel efficiences which greatly exceed those of today's gasoline and diesel engines, provided they operate at higher temperatures and vehicle weight is reduced. The main limiting factors are problems involving mechanical strength of materials at high temperatures. These problems can be solved, if a reliable mass-production of structural ceramics is achieved. The book consists of two parts. In the first part state-of-theart ceramics, such as silicon carbide and silicon nitride are studied for potential application to advanced heat engines. Microstructure, purity, secondary phases present and environmental effects are examined and correlated with thermal and mechanical properties, such as: Flexural strength, elastic modulus, stress dependence on strain, creep, oxidation resistance, thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity, thermal shock resistance and stress rupture. The use of zirconia in heat engines is also considered. At the end of the first part there is an Appendix with reflected light and scanning electron micrographs. The second part is an economic evaluation which focuses on the economic impact of applications of structural ceramics, the need for federal research support and industry prospectives. There are three Appendices on changes in the economic model, translations of Japanese newspaper articles and a synopsis of American counterattack. A short list of references appears at the end of the book. The book is very comprehensive and covers the subject quite well. It is also well illustrated with the exception of some photomicrographs whose reproduction is rather poor.