(US4997726-A)      A solid oxide fuel cell has solid electrolyte sandwiched between the anode and cathode with at least two gas separators supplying anode and cathode gases. The separators, except for the uppermost one, have an integral upward extending side wall to form a space surrounding the fuel cell. This space is filled with nonconducting high viscosity melt, e.g. borosilicate glass or a heat resisting glass ceramic.    ADVANTAGE -   The cells can be operated at high temperature to improve efficiency. The surrounding high viscosity melt giving improved gas sealing to the device.    (12pp)    (JP2698162-B2)      (A) a fuel cell assembly comprises at least one planar fuel cell, consisting of a solid oxide electrolyte sandwiched by an anode and a cathode, and at least two gas separators with gas passages for supplying anode gas and cathode gas to the anode and cathode, the cell(s) and the separators being arranged on top of one another to form the assembly.    Each separator, except the uppermost separator, is integrated at its periphery with an upstanding side wall spaced from the adjacent overlying separator to form a space which surrounds the superposed fuel cell and which is filled with a non-conductive highly viscous melt. (B) Also claimed are similar fuel cell assemblies in which (i) each separator has, at one or both surfaces, grooves and a gas chamber with inner anode or cathode gas collector lines integrated in the separator, each groove being formed between the gas chamber and the inner cathode or anode gas feed or discharge collector line, the gas being differnt from that flowing through the gas chamber, so that the groove communicates with the space and is filled with the melt.    ADVANTAGE -   The assemblies have improved gas-tightness and the fuel cells have long term stable electrical characteristics.    (JP2771578-B2)      (A) a fuel cell assembly comprises at least one planar fuel cell, consisting of a solid oxide electrolyte sandwiched by an anode and a cathode, and at least two gas separators with gas passages for supplying anode gas and cathode gas to the anode and cathode, the cell(s) and the separators being arranged on top of one another to form the assembly.    Each separator, except the uppermost separator, is integrated at its periphery with an upstanding side wall spaced from the adjacent overlying separator to form a space which surrounds the superposed fuel cell and which is filled with a non-conductive highly viscous melt. (B) Also claimed are similar fuel cell assemblies in which (i) each separator has, at one or both surfaces, grooves and a gas chamber with inner anode or cathode gas collector lines integrated in the separator, each groove being formed between the gas chamber and the inner cathode or anode gas feed or discharge collector line, the gas being differnt from that flowing through the gas chamber, so that the groove communicates with the space and is filled with the melt.    ADVANTAGE -   The assemblies have improved gas-tightness and the fuel cells have long term stable electrical characteristics.