Interconnect supported fuel cell assembly, preform and method of fabrication

A fuel cell assembly includes at least one fuel cell including at least two electrodes (112,116) and an electrolyte (114). An interconnect structure (102) includes at least one flow channel (104) initially defined by a removable sacrificial material (110). A method of forming the fuel cell assembly includes the steps of providing the interconnect structure having at least one flow channel, depositing the sacrificial material into the flow channel, depositing an electrode or an electrode/electrolyte material upon the interconnect structure and the sacrificial material, and processing the fuel cell so as to remove the sacrificial material.