A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that uses a pyrolytic carbon fuel was developed. The pyrolytic carbon fuel is supplied by the thermal decomposition of pure, dry methane on the anodes. This SOFC can generate electrical power in repeated power cycles. Compared to Ni/YSZ anodes, nickel/gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) anodes yield 8.6 times higher power density and 29 times more effective carbon mass used as fuel. Pyrolytic carbon-fueled SOFCs will permit the design of portable power units having the convenient fuel storage mode and will be used as the hydrogen generator during the charging of pyrolytic carbon fuel. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.