A metal-supported SOFC with a samarium doped ceria (SDC)/scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) bilayer electrolyte was fabricated by a combination of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and wet ceramic processes. The cell performance and aging characteristics during operation were analyzed by both AC impedance spectroscopy and current-voltage measurements in the temperature range from 400 degrees C to 600 degrees C. The power generation characteristics of this metal-supported SOFC at low temperatures should allow for rapid start-up and help to reduce the performance deterioration seen in high temperature SOFCs due material oxidation and instability. In this paper, our early research results are presented. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.