Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising an ionically conductive member and an electrode, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode further comprises a central region and a peripheral region, wherein a gradient of electrochemically active material exists between the central region and the peripheral region such that a content of the electrochemically active material is greater in the central region than the peripheral region.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising an ionically conductive member and an electrode, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode further comprises a central region and a peripheral region, wherein a gradient of electrochemically active material exists between the central region and the peripheral region such that a content of the electrochemically active material is greater in the central region than the peripheral region.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that employs an improved catalyst. The catalyst is a mixture of a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The first catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Vulcan XC72 carbon having a BET surface area of about 250 m2/g. The second catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Ketjen Black carbon having a BET surface area of about 800 m2/g. The ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is 1:1.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that employs an improved catalyst. The catalyst is a mixture of a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The first catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Vulcan XC72 carbon having a BET surface area of about 250 m2/g. The second catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Ketjen Black carbon having a BET surface area of about 800 m2/g. The ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is 1:1.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that employs an improved catalyst. The catalyst is a mixture of a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The first catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Vulcan XC72 carbon having a BET surface area of about 250 m2/g. The second catalyst is a 50 wt % Pt formed on Ketjen Black carbon having a BET surface area of about 800 m2/g. The ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is 1:1.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising an ionically conductive member and an electrode, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode further comprises a central region and a peripheral region, wherein a gradient of electrochemically active material exists between the central region and the peripheral region such that a content of the electrochemically active material is greater in the central region than the peripheral region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting imperfections in a membrane electrode assembly of an electrochemical fuel cell, and more particularly for detecting defects within a proton exchange membrane in a membrane electrode assembly, optionally sandwiched between conductive diffusion media layers, where a potential voltage is applied across the membrane and the presence of a defect and preferably the location of a defect is determined by monitoring variations in intensity level of infrared radiation emitted from a surface of the membrane electrode assembly. Another preferred embodiment includes sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly and conductive diffusion layers with at least one rigid solid that is transparent to infrared radiation.