In this study, we propose a new fabrication technique for a Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) composite anode widely used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A spherical core-shell structure consisting of a micron-sized Ni (core) and nano-sized YSZ (shell) was prepared by a high-speed mixing technique from metallic a Ni and YSZ powder mixture. The core-shell Ni-YSZ powder was then heat-treated at 1450 degrees C in an air atmosphere. During the early stage of the heat-treatment between 300 and 550 degrees C, it seemed that the surface of the Ni core was oxidized and the Ni particles were coated with a relatively dense NiO thin layer. As the heat-treatment temperature increased, the Ni core particles erupted, which led to uniformly distributed Ni particles in the YSZ framework. The resulting Ni-YSZ composite exhibited better electrical conductivity and ASR for anode polarization than a commercially available Ni-YSZ cermet anode. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.