Redox Power Systems, LLC (Redox) will collaborate with the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) and the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) to improve the performance and reliability and reduce the stack costs of Redox's high power density, low cost, natural gas fueled, intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack operating between 550 and 650°C. Redox will also scale its stacks to 5-10 kW units. The project specifically emphasizes the systematic investigation of SOFC degradation mechanisms for the Redox technology from the cell to the stack scale, as well as the development of relevant solutions. The cells use a proprietary ceria/bismuth-oxide bilayer electrolyte that improves the open circuit voltage compared to ceria-only electrolytes at 550 to 650°C. This voltage improvement boosts efficiency while maintaining a low area-specific resistance that results in high power densities (peak ≥ 2 W/cm2 at 650°C) and lower cost (e.g., fewer cells, seals, gaskets, and interconnects per kW). This project will also leverage work performed by the University of Maryland under DOE contract DE-FE0009084.