A unique fuel cell coupled with a low power nuclear reactor presents an attractive approach for SDI burst power requirements. The high power, long duration bursts, quoted in the open literature, (100 MWe, 200 sec) appear achievable within a single shuttle launch limitation with appropriate development of the concept. The system performance advantages result from a significant breakthrough in fuel cell design. The monolithic design employs the same thin ceramic components used in other oxide fuel cells in a strong, lighweight honeycomb structure of small cells, and thus can achieve very high power per unit mass or volume. The light weight and low volume as well as the efficiency and reliability of electrical systems, are advantageous in space applications.

A new fuel cell design, called the ''monolithic fuel cell,'' is being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The monolithic design employs the same thin ceramic components used in other oxide fuel cells in a strong, lightweight honeycomb structure of small cells, and thus can achieve very high power per unit mass or volume. The light weight and low volume, as well as the efficiency and reliability of electrical systems, are advantageous is space and terrestial systems.

A new fuel cell design, called the ''monolithic fuel cell,'' is being developed at Argonne. The monolithic design employs the same thin ceramic components used in other oxide fuel cells in a strong, lightweight honeycomb structure of small cells, and thus can achieve very high power per unit mass or volume. The light weight and low volume, as well as the efficiency and reliability of electrical systems, are advantageous in space and terrestrial systems.