A 6-year strategic electrochemistry research center (SERC) in fundamental and applied aspects of electrochemical cells with a main emphasis on solid oxide cells was started in Denmark on January 1st, 2007 in cooperation with other Danish and Swedish Universities. Furthermore, 8 Danish companies are taking part in the center. Now after 4 years both new equipment and methods have been developed and new scientific and technical results have been generated in relation to four technical applications, namely fuel cells, electrolysers, gas cleaners and oxygen sensors. Selected techniques and results are presented.