An effective and facile technique has been developed for high temperature anode-electrolyte co-sintering of anode support solid oxide fuel cells by using microwave activated sparking plasma. A high sintering temperature of 1600 degrees C can be achieved in a few minutes time by discharging effect. Anode support substrate pellet is uniaxially pressed, and then dip-coated with a 10 mu m yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte layer. After the microwave co-sintering, La(0.8)Sr(0.2)MnO(x),, cathode is screen-printed onto electrolyte and sintered by conventional thermal method. The cell has stably operated in 3% humidified hydrogen for more than 130h. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.