Gas diffusion method for use with fuel cell stack

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having efficient fluid distribution comprising:

• an ion transfer membrane (20);
• one of an anode (22) and cathode (24);
• a gas diffusion assembly comprising;
• a sealing gasket (50/50′) forming a fluid containment space having a volume “V”;
• a first interface (70);
• at least one inlet (140) through the gasket fluidly communicating with the fluid containment space;
• at least one outlet (145) through the gasket fluidly communicating with the fluid containment space;
• a generally planar rectangular porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) (40) with two end walls, and two side walls, configured to fit within the fluid containment space;
• whereby the first interface is sealable against the ion transfer membrane;
• at least one inlet plenum (186) formed around at least one edge of the GDL and an annular wall of the fluid containment space;
• and,
• at least one outlet plenum (188) formed around at least one edge of the gas diffusion insert GDL and an annular wall of the fluid containment space;
• wherein an inlet catch (221) and an outlet catch (223) formed from the sealing gasket extend laterally into the volume are provided at diagonally opposing corners of the gasket from each other, to position the GDL;
• and
• wherein each catch has two step walls positioned at 90 degrees to each other in plane with the GDL,
• each catch displaces a portion of the volume V;
• and
• each the lateral wall of the gasket catch partially seals against the lateral wall (LW) of the GDL without crushing.