Solid oxide fuel cells offer great prospects for the sustainable, clean and safe conversion of various fuels into electrical energy. In this thesis, the performance-determining loss processes for the cell operation on reformate fuels are elucidated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Model-based analyses reveal the electrochemical fuel oxidation mechanism, the coupling of fuel gas transport and reforming chemistry and the impact of fuel impurities on the degradation of each loss process.

This volume explores the relationship between language and culture while considering its implications for the teaching of modern foreign languages in higher education. Drawing on a comparative empirical study conducted at universities both in the UK and US, this text problematises the impacts of a separation of language and content in German degree programmes. Illustrating the need for a curriculum which fosters the development of intercultural competence and criticality, Parks reconceptualises established models of criticality (Barnett) and intercultural communicative competence (Byram). The chapters in this volume discuss a range of important topics including; language graduates with deep translingual and transcultural competence, observed differences and similarities between British and American universities and faculty and student voices: developing intercultural competence and criticality. Aimed at scholars with research interests in intercultural communication, language education and applied linguistics, this volume provides a thorough discussion for the ways in which modern language programmes in higher education can be improved. Additionally, those carrying out research in the fields of language teaching and language policy in higher education will find Developing Critical Cultural Awareness in Modern Languages to be of great relevance.

This book presents methodologies suitable for the optimal design of control and diagnosis strategies for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems. One key feature of the methodologies presented is the use of modeling tools with an ideal balance between accuracy and computational burden. Particular emphasis is given to the useful combination of models within a hierarchical framework to reduce the experimental efforts required for characterization and testing. Such tools are proven to be highly effective for SOFC systems destined for both residential and transportation applications. Throughout the book, optimization is always conceived in such a way so as to allow the SOFC systems to work efficiently while guaranteeing safe thermal operation, as well as an extended lifetime. This book is aimed at scientists and engineers involved in the design of marketable SOFC systems. It gathers the knowledge and experience derived from other research and industry practice for which control and diagnosis have proven to be the main keys to success and market penetration.

This work presents a numerical FEM framework, capable of predicting SOFC performance under technically relevant, planar stack contacting conditions. A high level of confidence in the model predictions is supplied by using exclusively experimentally determined material/kinetic parameters and by a comprehensive validation. The presented model aids SOFC stack development by pre-evaluating possible material choices and design combinations for cells/interconnectors without any experimental effort.

This work deals with microstructural characterisation, modelling and simulation of SOFC electrodes with the goal of optimizing the electrode microstructures. Methods for a detailed electrode analysis based on focused ion beam (FIB) tomography are presented. A 3D FEM model able to perform simulations of LSCF cathodes based on 3D tomography data is shown. A model generating realistic, yet synthetic microstructures is presented that enables the optimization of microstructural characteristics.

Mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) ceramics as oxygen transport membranes (OTMs) can provide high oxygen permeation rates at comparably low energy demands. For this purpose, Ba?.?Sr?.?Co?.?Fe?.?O??? (BSCF) shows the best performance under ideal operating conditions. Thermal and chemical stability investigations, electrical behavior ?(T,pO?,t), and oxygen exchange parameter extraction by means of electrical conductivity relaxation resulted in a far better understanding of the BSCF system.

In this book, a new procedure to analyze lithium-ion cells is introduced. The cells are disassembled to analyze their components in experimental cell housings. Then, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, time domain measurements and the Distribution function of Relaxation Times are applied to obtain a deep understanding of the relevant loss processes. This procedure yields a notable surplus of information about the electrode contributions to the overall internal resistance of the cell.