Encapsulating seals for electrochemical cell stacks and methods of sealing electrochemical cell stacks

A method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell assembly having a top, a bottom, and at least one side, said stack comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly interposed between a plurality of separator plates, said method comprising:

• (a) providing an individual cell seal between each one of said at least one membrane electrode assembly and the environment outside the cell stack;
• (b) arranging said at least one membrane electrode assembly and said plurality of separator plates in an operative configuration in a stack;
• and
• (c) forming an encapsulating seal on at least one side of said stack, wherein said encapsulating seal is disposed at least between each of said plurality of separator plates having one of said membrane electrode assemblies disposed therebetween.

A method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell stack, said method comprising:

• (a) arranging at least one membrane electrode assembly in a stack, said membrane electrode assemblies being interposed between separator plates, said stack including at least one side;
• (b) flowing a coolant into said electrochemical cell stack;
• and
• (c) forming an encapsulating seal on at least one side of said stack while flowing said coolant within said electrochemical cell stack.