Fuel cell side plates with controlled tensile compliance

A device configured to convert a hydrogenous fuel source to electrical energy, said device comprising:

• first and second end plates;
• an electrochemical conversion assembly compressively loaded along a loading axis of said conversion assembly and positioned between said first and second end plates;
• and
• at least one side plate secured to said first and second end plates, wherein
• said side plate includes a proximal end and a distal end,
• said side plate includes at least one spring element positioned between said proximal end and said distal end,
• said spring element is configured to maintain said compressive loading along said loading axis of said electrochemical conversion assembly,
• said electrochemical conversion assembly comprises one or more bipolar plates, gas diffusion media, and polymer membrane,
• said spring element is configured to maintain contact pressure between said bipolar plates, gas diffusion media, and polymer membrane in response to a change in thickness of said electrochemical conversion assembly, and
• said change in thickness is caused by swelling of said polymer membrane or compressive deformation of said diffusion media.

A device configured to convert a hydrogenous fuel source to electrical energy, said device comprising:

• first and second end plates;
• an electrochemical conversion assembly compressively loaded along a loading axis of said conversion assembly and positioned between said first and second end plates;
• and
• at least one side plate oriented parallel to said loading axis and secured to said first and second end plates, wherein
• said side plate includes a proximal end and a distal end,
• said side plate includes at least one spring element oriented parallel to said loading axis and positioned between said proximal end and said distal end,
• said spring element is configured to maintain said compressive loading along said loading axis of said electrochemical conversion assembly,
• said side plate is stamped or cut to form said spring element,
• said side plate and said spring element comprise a metallic alloy,
• said electrochemical conversion assembly comprises one or more bipolar plates, gas diffusion media, and proton exchange membrane,
• said spring element is configured to maintain contact pressure between said bipolar plates, gas diffusion media, and proton exchange membrane in response to a change in thickness of said electrochemical conversion assembly, and
• said change in thickness is caused by swelling of said proton exchange membrane or compressive deformation of said diffusion media.