Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were fabricated by applying reproducible thin, dense La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-delta (LSCM) anode and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3-delta (LSM) cathode films to yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. A gold grid was applied to the anode film by lithography and plating, enabling adequate electrical contact while maintaining an open surface area for reaction. Alignment of the two electrode films and correct placement of the reference electrode enabled the separation of the anode and cathode impedance responses. Although the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of the LSCM vertical bar YSZ vertical bar LSM fuel cell at 700 degrees C with humidified H-2 fuel was close to that predicted by the Nernst equation, the anode polarization resistance was large (23 center dot cm(2)). The addition of Pd to the anode film led only to a small decrease in polarization resistance, indicating that oxygen ion conductivity was the limiting factor for H-2 fuel. The OCV for CH4 was close to that when an inert gas (He) was supplied to the anode. This OCV increased to 0.87 V upon addition of Pd to the LSCM film surface. This indicates that the bare LSCM film is limited by a low CH4 activation activity.