Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the manufacture of membrane electrode assemblies, comprising: a first carriage traversable along a first track, the first carriage having a support platform; a second carriage traversable along a second track, the second carriage having a support platform; sheet supplying means for supplying sheets comprising a gas diffusion layer onto the support platforms of the carriages; and supply means for supplying a continuous web comprising an ion-conducting membrane between at least a portion of the first and second tracks, wherein the system is arranged to align the first and second carriages either side of the continuous web with the support platforms of the first and second carriages facing the continuous web, whereby the system is suitable for adhering sheets carried thereby to opposite sides of the continuous web in an aligned configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a reinforced membrane-seal assembly, the process comprising, forming one or more strips of an ion-conducting component in a plane on a temporary carrier component, forming a plurality of strips of seal component in the same plane on the temporary carrier component, such that the one or more strips of an ion-conducting component lie between two of said strips of seal component, wherein a planar reinforcing component comprising a plurality of pores is provided in the plane, such that the ion-conducting component and the seal component fill the plurality of pores, the one or more strips of an ion-conducting component, the plurality of strips of seal component and the planar reinforcing component thereby together form a reinforced membrane-seal assembly, and wherein each strip of ion-conducting component extends from a first end of said assembly to a second opposite end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the manufacture of membrane electrode assemblies, comprising: a first carriage traversable along a first track, the first carriage having a support platform; a second carriage traversable along a second track, the second carriage having a support platform; sheet supplying means for supplying sheets comprising a gas diffusion layer onto the support platforms of the carriages; and supply means for supplying a continuous web comprising an ion-conducting membrane between at least a portion of the first and second tracks, wherein the system is arranged to align the first and second carriages either side of the continuous web with the support platforms of the first and second carriages facing the continuous web, whereby the system is suitable for adhering sheets carried thereby to opposite sides of the continuous web in an aligned configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a reinforced membrane-seal assembly, the process comprising, forming one or more strips of an ion-conducting component in a plane on a temporary carrier component, forming a plurality of strips of seal component in the same plane on the temporary carrier component, such that the one or more strips of an ion-conducting component lie between two of said strips of seal component, wherein a planar reinforcing component comprising a plurality of pores is provided in the plane, such that the ion-conducting component and the seal component fill the plurality of pores, the one or more strips of an ion-conducting component, the plurality of strips of seal component and the planar reinforcing component thereby together form a reinforced membrane-seal assembly, and wherein each strip of ion-conducting component extends from a first end of said assembly to a second opposite end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of a catalyst-coated membrane-seal assembly, including: (i) providing a carrier material; (ii-i) forming a first layer, the first layer being formed by: (a) depositing a first catalyst component onto the carrier material such that the first catalyst component is deposited in discrete regions; (b) drying the first layer; (ii-ii) forming a second layer, the second layer being formed by: (a) depositing a first seal component, such that the first seal component provides a picture frame pattern having a continuous region and void regions, the continuous region including second seal component and the void regions being free from second seal component; (b) depositing a first ionomer component onto the first layer, such that the first ionomer component is deposited in discrete regions; and (c) drying the second layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of a catalyst-coated membrane-seal assembly, including: (i) providing a carrier material; (ii-i) forming a first layer, the first layer being formed by: (a) depositing a first catalyst component onto the carrier material such that the first catalyst component is deposited in discrete regions; (b) drying the first layer; (ii-ii) forming a second layer, the second layer being formed by: (a) depositing a first seal component, such that the first seal component provides a picture frame pattern having a continuous region and void regions, the continuous region including second seal component and the void regions being free from second seal component; (b) depositing a first ionomer component onto the first layer, such that the first ionomer component is deposited in discrete regions; and (c) drying the second layer.