A novel direct carbon fuel cell is designed and fabricated using cathode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell technology, which makes the research and optimization of fuel electrode much easier. The maximum power density of a SO-DCFC (solid oxide direct carbon fuel cell) single cell is 172.7 and 91.1 mW cm(-2) at 900 and 850 degrees C, respectively, with carbon as the fuel humidified nitrogen to initiate reforming reactions. Results show that the cathode supported tubular design may have future promise. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.