Membrane electrode assemblies and associated fuel cells

A fuel cell, comprising:

• a multi-cell membrane electrode assembly comprising multiple sub-cells of ionically conductive substrate and that are interposed between ionically insulative substrate, the multiple sub-cells are electrically coupled in series, the multi-cell membrane electrode assembly further comprising polymer materials fused around vias and wherein an individual via borders at least two sides of an individual sub-cell.

A membrane electrode assembly, comprising:

• a polymer membrane substrate comprising multiple ionically conductive active areas interposed between ionically insulative areas of the polymer membrane substrate;
• and,
• a plurality of electrode pairs formed on the multiple ionically conductive active areas of the polymer membrane substrate with anode electrodes positioned on a first side of the multiple ionically conductive active areas and cathode electrodes positioned on a second opposite side of the multiple ionically conductive active areas, wherein individual anodes are electrically connected to individual adjacent and opposite cathodes.