Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. A reaction zone positioned along a portion of the length is configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and has at least one active layer therein comprising an electrolyte separating an anode from an opposing cathode, and fuel and oxidizer gas passages adjacent the respective anode and cathode. At least one cold zone positioned from the first end along another portion of the length is configured to remain below the operating reaction temperature. The anode and cathode each have electrical pathways extending to an exterior surface in the cold zone for electrical connection at the lower temperature. The electrolyte includes at least a portion thereof comprising a ceramic material sintered from a nano-sized powder. In one embodiment, the sintered nano-sized powder provides an uneven surface topography on the electrolyte.