Directly Deposited Current Collecting Grids for AMTEC Electrodes

Current collection in porous thin film electrodes on solid electrolytes has been improved by using thick film grids to decrease sheet and contact resistance in RhW and PtW electrodes. The grids are directly deposited on the solid electrolyte, either by sputter or photodepostion, and the electrode is deposited over the grid. Comparison of the performance of electrodes having such underlying grids with that of electodes without such grids has shown performance, as measured by current or power produced, to be improved by 10-30% in electrodes with grids.