Membrane electrode assembly and method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly

A membrane electrode assembly for use in fabricating a fuel cell, the assembly manufactured by a process comprising the steps of:

• providing an anode side diffusion layer structure having a first anode side segment and a second anode side segment, said first anode side segment connected to said second anode side segment or a first engaging member via a first bridge;
• providing a cathode side diffusion layer structure having a first cathode side segment and a second cathode side segment, said first cathode side segment connected to said second cathode side segment or a second engaging member via a second bridge;
• and
• sandwiching a layer of membrane electrolyte between said anode side diffusion layer structure and said cathode side diffusion layer structure such that said anode side diffusion layer structure and said cathode side diffusion layer structure avoid electrical contact with each other.

A membrane electrode assembly for use in fabricating a fuel cell, comprising:

• an anode side diffusion layer structure having a first anode side segment and a second anode side segment, wherein said first anode side segment and said second anode side segment have been separated from each other by at least a partial removal of a first bridge therebetween;
• a cathode side diffusion layer structure having a first cathode side segment and a second cathode side segment, wherein said first cathode side segment and said second cathode side segment have been separated from each other by at least a partial removal of a second bridge therebetween;
• and
• a membrane electrolyte sandwiched between said anode side diffusion layer structure and said cathode side diffusion layer structure such that the anode side diffusion layer structure and the cathode side diffusion layer structure avoid electrical contact with each other.

A method for fabricating a membrane electrode assembly for use in a fuel cell, comprising:

• providing an anode side diffusion layer structure coupled to a first engaging member having one or more portions configured for engagement with an alignment mechanism;
• providing a cathode side diffusion layer structure coupled to a second engaging member having one or more portions configured for engagement with the alignment mechanism;
• sandwiching a layer of membrane electrolyte between the anode side diffusion layer structure and the cathode side diffusion layer structure such that the first engaging member and the second engaging member are aligned to engage the alignment mechanism;
• and
• bonding the membrane electrolyte to the anode side diffusion layer structure and the cathode side diffusion layer structure.