Abstract: A device for assembling a banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band comprises a frame, a base to support the stack while assembling, a press plate that is movable toward and away from the base to compress the stack under a constant force, band folding means to fold the band around the compressed stack such that the ends of the band overlap and welding means for welding the overlapped ends of the band. A method for assembling the banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band is also described. The device can be used to fit a plurality of compression bands around the assembled stack.

Abstract: A device for assembling a banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band comprises a frame, a base to support the stack while assembling, a press plate that is movable toward and away from the base to compress the stack under a constant force, band folding means to fold the band around the compressed stack such that the ends of the band overlap and welding means for welding the overlapped ends of the band. A method for assembling the banded fuel cell stack with at least one custom-fit band is also described. The device can be used to fit a plurality of compression bands around the assembled stack.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly has two gas diffusion layers, two catalyst layers and an ion-exchange membrane interposed therebetween wherein the ion-exchange membrane is cast from a sulphonated polyether ketone/sulfone ionomer. Specifically, the ionomer can be represented as A-B-C wherein Further x, y, z represent the mole ratios of each moiety in the ionomer such that x is between 0.25 and 0.40; y is between 0.01 and 0.26; and z is between 0.40 and 0.67. Melt viscosity of the corresponding base polymer also affects performance in the fuel cell, particularly at values over 0.4 kNsm?2 as measured at 400° C., 1000 s?1. In preparing the membrane electrode assembly, the catalyst layers may be coated directly on the membrane and then bonded with two gas diffusion layers.