Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell. The MEA may include a first gas diffusion electrode (GDE) layer, a second GDE layer, a subgasket, and a membrane sandwiched between first and second GDE layers. The MEA may further include a protective barrier configured for protecting the membrane against external contaminants. The protective barrier may be configured surrounding a perimeter of the membrane between the surrounding subgasket portion and the second GDE layer.

Abstract: A water vapor transfer separator plate assembly and a method of making the same. In such an assembly made up of a stack of alternating wet side plates and dry side plates with a membrane disposed between them, a humid fluid such as that found in a fuel cell cathode exhaust flows against one side of each membrane such that at least some of its moisture content travels across the membrane to a lower humidity fluid on the opposite side of the membrane. The lower humidity fluid, such as that found in a fuel cell cathode entrance, experiences an increase in its humidity by the operation of the moisture flow across the membrane. At least a portion of the assembly may be made thinner by removing diffusion media and reinforcing structure of the dry side plates such that the overall assembly is simplified.

Abstract: A bypass unit for a water vapor transfer assembly includes a main body, a check valve, and an adjustable flow regulator. The main body has a conduit formed therethrough. The check valve is in communication with the conduit. The check valve normally militates against a flow of a bypass stream through the conduit and permits the flow of the bypass stream through the conduit above a threshold flow rate. The flow regulator is in communication with the conduit. The flow regulator permits an adjustment of the flow of the bypass stream to modify the water transfer rate of the water transfer assembly.

Abstract: A bypass unit for a water vapor transfer assembly includes a main body, a check valve, and an adjustable flow regulator. The main body has a conduit formed therethrough. The check valve is in communication with the conduit. The check valve normally militates against a flow of a bypass stream through the conduit and permits the flow of the bypass stream through the conduit above a threshold flow rate. The flow regulator is in communication with the conduit. The flow regulator permits an adjustment of the flow of the bypass stream to modify the water transfer rate of the water transfer assembly.

Abstract: A water vapor transfer separator plate assembly and a method of making the same. In such an assembly made up of a stack of alternating wet side plates and dry side plates with a membrane disposed between them, a humid fluid such as that found in a fuel cell cathode exhaust flows against one side of each membrane such that at least some of its moisture content travels across the membrane to a lower humidity fluid on the opposite side of the membrane. The lower humidity fluid, such as that found in a fuel cell cathode entrance, experiences an increase in its humidity by the operation of the moisture flow across the membrane. At least a portion of the assembly may be made thinner by removing diffusion media and reinforcing structure of the dry side plates such that the overall assembly is simplified.