Abstract: An electrode for use in a fuel cell consists of a porous plastic substrate, a conductive layer and a catalyst layer, in which the substrate is hydrophilic. Preferably the substrate has a water wicking rate no less than 40 mm per 600 s. Such an electrode may be used in a fuel cell, with an electrolyte chamber (8) defined between two opposed electrodes (11, 12), the electrodes having the catalyst layers (5) facing away from the electrolyte in contact with respective gas chambers (7, 9). Preferably the electrolyte is maintained at a negative pressure during operation.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fuel cell consists of a porous plastic substrate, a conductive layer and a catalyst layer, in which the substrate is hydrophilic. Preferably the substrate has a water wicking rate no less than 40 mm per 600 s. Such an electrode may be used in a fuel cell, with an electrolyte chamber (8) defined between two opposed electrodes (11, 12), the electrodes having the catalyst layers (5) facing away from the electrolyte in contact with respective gas chambers (7, 9). Preferably the electrolyte is maintained at a negative pressure during operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack (200) comprising a plurality of fuel cells, a releasable clamp (235) to retain the components of the fuel cell stack; and a casing (240) into which the stack is insertable. The casing (240) provides means (250, 252) to compress the fuel cell stack components together. Each fuel cell in the stack (200) comprises two electrodes (11, 12) that are mutually spaced so as to form an electrolyte chamber therebetween, and each electrode incorporates a catalyst; the fuel cell stack is made up of plates (202) to define electrolyte chambers and plates (206) to define the gas chambers, the electrodes being sealingly secured between plates in the stack. At least one end plate (230) defines ports (232) to supply or withdraw fluids from the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack (160) with at least one fuel cell (10), and a pump (50). Each fuel cell (10) includes a first gas chamber, an electrolyte chamber, and a second gas chamber, and two electrodes separating the electrolyte chamber from the gas chambers. The pump (50) is arranged to reduce the pressure of an electrolyte (40) in the electrolyte chamber to a negative pressure. This negative pressure may be adjusted in accordance with the electrical output of the fuel cell stack (160).