Microstructure evolution of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell anodes characterized by persistent homology

Uncovering microstructure evolution mechanisms that accompany the long-term operation of solid oxide fuel cells is a fundamental challenge in designing more durable energy system for future. To date, study cell stack degradation has focused mainly on electrochemical performance and, rarely, averaged microstructural parameters. Here we show an alternative approach which three-dimensional features studied using electron tomography coupled with topological data analysis. The latter produces persistent images before and after electrodes. Those unveil new insight into process three involved phases: nickel, pores, yttrium-stabilized zirconium.