Electrochemical cells with improved fluid flow design

An electrochemical cell stack, comprising:

• a plurality of electrochemical cells stacked along a longitudinal axis, each electrochemical cell comprising:
• a membrane electrode assembly comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and a polymer membrane interposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer;
• an anode plate and a cathode plate with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, and the anode plate defines a plurality of channels that form an anode flow field facing the anode catalyst layer;
• a cathode flow field positioned between the cathode plate and the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the cathode flow field comprises a porous structure and a first cathode distribution channel recessed into a surface of the porous structure facing the cathode plate;
• and
• a first manifold section that includes a first anode feed manifold, a first cathode discharge manifold, and a first coolant discharge manifold and a second manifold section that includes a first anode discharge manifold, a first cathode feed manifold, and a first coolant feed manifold;
• wherein the first coolant discharge manifold is positioned between the first anode feed manifold and the first cathode discharge manifold and the first coolant feed manifold is positioned between the first anode discharge manifold and the first cathode feed manifold;
• and
• wherein the first cathode distribution channel is configured to provide an open flow path between the first cathode feed manifold and the porous structure.