Abstract: A cell stack comprising an electrochemical cell, or a plurality of axially arranged electrochemical cells, with an end plate at each end of the stack, each cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, wherein the active area comprises the membrane electrode assembly, and the peripheral area includes one or more channels for reactants, and wherein the stack comprises means for applying pressure axially to the active area to contact the membrane and electrodes, and separate means for applying pressure axially to the peripheral area. Further, a method of performing an electrochemical reaction in a cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, comprises applying pressure to the active area, and varying the pressure during operation of the cell, wherein the active area includes the membrane electrode assembly and is the area where the cell reaction occurs.

Abstract: A composite cell plate can include a polymer element laterally mated and interlocked, at a plurality of engagement points, with a resilient metal element. The cell plate can be used in an electrochemical cell. A method of forming a cell plate can include fitting a polymer element to a resilient metal element at a plurality of engagement points, and expanding the polymer of the polymer element such that the polymer element and the resilient metal element engage and interlock at the engagement points.

Abstract: A cell stack comprising an electrochemical cell, or a plurality of axially arranged electrochemical cells, with an end plate at each end of the stack, each cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, wherein the active area comprises the membrane electrode assembly, and the peripheral area includes one or more channels for reactants, and wherein the stack comprises means for applying pressure axially to the active area to contact the membrane and electrodes, and separate means for applying pressure axially to the peripheral area. Further, a method of performing an electrochemical reaction in a cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, comprises applying pressure to the active area, and varying the pressure during operation of the cell, wherein the active area includes the membrane electrode assembly and is the area where the cell reaction occurs.

Abstract: A cell stack comprising an electrochemical cell, or a plurality of axially arranged electrochemical cells, with an end plate at each end of the stack, each cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, wherein the active area comprises the membrane electrode assembly, and the peripheral area includes one or more channels for reactants, and wherein the stack comprises means for applying pressure axially to the active area to contact the membrane and electrodes, and separate means for applying pressure axially to the peripheral area. Further, a method of performing an electrochemical reaction in a cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, comprises applying pressure to the active area, and varying the pressure during operation of the cell, wherein the active area includes the membrane electrode assembly and is the area where the cell reaction occurs.

Abstract: A composite cell plate can include a polymer element laterally mated and interlocked, at a plurality of engagement points, with a resilient metal element. The cell plate can be used in an electrochemical cell. A method of forming a cell plate can include fitting a polymer element to a resilient metal element at a plurality of engagement points, and expanding the polymer of the polymer element such that the polymer element and the resilient metal element engage and interlock at the engagement points.

Abstract: A cell stack comprising an electrochemical cell, or a plurality of axially arranged electrochemical cells, with an end plate at each end of the stack, each cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, wherein the active area comprises the membrane electrode assembly, and the peripheral area includes one or more channels for reactants, and wherein the stack comprises means for applying pressure axially to the active area to contact the membrane and electrodes, and separate means for applying pressure axially to the peripheral area. Further, a method of performing an electrochemical reaction in a cell comprising an active area surrounded by a peripheral area, comprises applying pressure to the active area, and varying the pressure during operation of the cell, wherein the active area includes the membrane electrode assembly and is the area where the cell reaction occurs.