Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell for producing hydrogen gas and cupric chloride, comprising an anode compartment including an anode disposed in an anolyte, wherein the anolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid, a cathode compartment including a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises an electrocatalyst, and a cation exchange membrane disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: An electrochemical method for the production of a chlorine-based oxidant product, such as sodium hypochlorite, is disclosed. The method may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from sea water or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The method utilizes alkali cation-conductive ceramic membranes, such as membranes based on NaSICON-type materials, and organic polymer membranes in electrochemical cells to produce sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the electrochemical cell includes three compartments and the first compartment contains an anolyte having an acidic pH.

Abstract: An electrochemical method for the production of a chlorine-based oxidant product, such as sodium hypochlorite, is disclosed. The method may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from sea water or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The method utilizes alkali cation-conductive ceramic membranes, such as membranes based on NaSICON-type materials, and organic polymer membranes in electrochemical cells to produce sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the electrochemical cell includes three compartments and the first compartment contains an anolyte having a basic pH.

Abstract: A method for controlling the hydrophilic droplet using the electrowetting principle is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for increasing the change of the contact angle in the interface that is formed between the hydrophilic droplet and the nonpolar fluid by adding a constant concentration of two-element electrolyte or three-element electrolyte to the hydrophilic droplet; and an apparatus for controlling the droplet having the change of the contact angle and velocity scope increased by the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal onto the surface of a wafer includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element located in close proximity of the wafer and an auxiliary cathode located between the anode and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element. The ionically resistive ionically permeable element serves to modulate ionic current at the wafer surface. The auxiliary cathode is configured to shape the current distribution from the anode. The provided configuration effectively redistributes ionic current in the plating system allowing plating of uniform metal layers and mitigating the terminal effect.

Abstract: An electro-catalytic oxidation device (ECOD) for the removal of contaminates, preferably carbonaceous materials, from an influent comprising an ECOD anode, an ECOD cathode, and an ECOD electrolyte. The ECOD anode is at a temperature whereby the contaminate collects on the surface of the ECOD anode as a buildup. The ECOD anode is electrically connected to the ECOD cathode, which consumes the buildup producing electricity and carbon dioxide. The ECOD anode is porous and chemically active to the electro-catalytic oxidation of the contaminate. The ECOD cathode is exposed to oxygen, and made of a material which promotes the electro-chemical reduction of oxygen to oxidized ions. The ECOD electrolyte is non-permeable to gas, electrically insulating and a conductor to oxidized. The ECOD anode is connected to the fuel reformer and the fuel cell. The ECOD electrolyte is between and in ionic contact with the ECOD anode and the ECOD cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal on the surface of a wafer includes a second cathode located remotely with respect to the wafer. The remotely positioned second cathode allows modulation of current density at the wafer surface during an entire electroplating process. The second cathode diverts a portion of current flow from the near-edge region of the wafer and improves the uniformity of plated layers. The remote position of second cathode allows the insulating shields disposed in the plating bath to shape the current profile experienced by the wafer, and therefore act as a “virtual second cathode”. The second cathode may be positioned outside of the plating vessel and separated from it by a membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for processing a fluid comprising: an electrode; a solid electrolyte; and means for providing forced flow through the apparatus of a fluid to be processed, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the fluid to be processed is introduced into the apparatus there exists at least one three phase interface between the electrode, the solid electrolyte and the fluid to be processed and such that the fluid forming part of the three phase interface undergoes forced flow through the apparatus, and methods in which the electrochemical apparatus is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal on the surface of a wafer includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element located in close proximity of the wafer (preferably within 5 mm of the wafer surface) which serves to modulate ionic current at the wafer surface, and a second cathode configured to divert a portion of current from the wafer surface. The ionically resistive ionically permeable element in a preferred embodiment is a disk made of a resistive material having a plurality of perforations formed therein, such that perforations do not form communicating channels within the body of the disk. The provided configuration effectively redistributes ionic current in the plating system allowing plating of uniform metal layers and mitigating the terminal effect.

Abstract: An electrode for an energy storage device has an electrode bearer and an active electrode material that is applied onto the electrode bearer on one side or on both sides, the electrode bearer being formed from an alloy that has a portion of copper and that additionally contains at least tin in a content of at least approximately 0.01 weight %.

Abstract: A number of apertures are defined within a wall of a chamber defined to maintain an electrolyte solution. A cation exchange membrane is disposed within the chamber over the number of apertures. The electrolyte solution pressure within the chamber causes the cation exchange membrane to extend through the apertures beyond an outer surface of the chamber. A cathode is disposed within the chamber. The cathode is maintained at a negative bias voltage relative to a top surface of a wafer to be planarized. When the top surface of the wafer is brought into proximity of the cation exchange membrane extending through the apertures, and a deionized water layer is disposed between the top surface of the wafer and the cation exchange membrane, a cathode half-cell is established such that metal cations are liberated from the top surface of the wafer and plated on the cathode in the chamber.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell is provided, which includes an inlet, an outlet, and coaxial, cylindrical inner and outer electrodes. A cylindrical ion-selective membrane is located between the inner and outer electrodes and forms respective first and second electrolysis reaction chambers on opposing sides of the membrane. Fluid flow paths along the first and second chambers join together as a combined inlet flow path through the inlet and a combined outlet flow path through the outlet.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell is provided, which includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. At least one of the anode electrode or the cathode electrode includes a first plurality of apertures having a first size and/or shape and a second plurality of apertures having a second, different size and/or shape.

Abstract: A hand-held spray bottle is provided, which includes a liquid reservoir, a liquid outlet, an electrolysis cell, a power source and a DC-to-DC converter. The electrolysis cell is carried by the spray bottle and is fluidically coupled between the reservoir and the liquid outlet. The power source is carried by the spray bottle and has a voltage output. The DC-to-DC converter is coupled between the voltage output and the electrolysis cell and provides a stepped-up voltage, which is greater than the voltage output of the power source, to energize the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing electrolysis with an electrolysis cell. The cell includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. At least one of the anode electrode or the cathode electrode is at least partially formed of conductive polymer.

Abstract: An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane);two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The the GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer.

Abstract: Electrolysis device intended to produce hydrogen by the reduction of water, comprising a cathode compartment, an anode compartment, and an element connecting said compartments and allowing ions to migrate between them, the device being characterized in that the cathode compartment contains at least one weak acid capable of catalyzing the reduction and an electrolytic solution, the pH of which is in the range between 3 and 9.

Abstract: An electroactivated film that includes: a first electrode that is spaced apart from a second electrode, a water insoluble electrically conductive medium which is permeable to moisture and oxygen and which contacts both electrodes, an electrocatalyst which can be reversibly oxidized and reduced and which facilitates the production of a peroxide when an electrical potential is imposed across the electrodes, and an optional peroxide-activating catalyst which converts the peroxide to an activated peroxide, wherein the first electrode, the conductive medium, the second electrode and the optional peroxide-activating catalyst are arranged in layers.

Abstract: An electrolysis system (100) is provided. In addition to an electrolysis tank (101) and a membrane (105) separating the tank into two regions, the system includes at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (115/117) of a first type comprised of a first material, at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (117/118) of a second type comprised of a second material different from the first material, and at least one pair of high voltage electrodes (121/122) comprised of a material that may be the same as either the first or second material or different from both the first and second material. The low voltage applied to the low voltage electrodes and the high voltage applied to the high voltage electrodes is pulsed with the pulses occurring simultaneously with the same pulse duration.

Abstract: A kind of a card insertion type membrane electrolysis device comprising an enclosed and hollow main body, an anode plate in the main body, at least one membrane plate installed in main body, and at least one cathode plate in the main body; the main body includes a tank with opening at the top and a removable top cover for covering the tank; inner wall of the tank has multiple insertion slots, wherein the anode plate is a removable card inserting into one of the insertion slot and between the cathode plate and the membrane plate at least one cathode chamber is formed; through the insertion card design for the anode plate and the membrane plate, the plates can be pulled out for inspection of wear off condition and maintenance, and the unnecessary replacement and wastage can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous electrode used in an electrochemical cell, containing a carrier and/or catalytic agent, which is characterised by that it consists of two or more layers with different average pore sizes, out of which layers the contact layer with the smallest average pore size is in contact with the membrane, and one or more supporting layers with a greater average pore size are linked to the other side of this contact layer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a procedure for the manufacturing of such electrodes and to electrochemical cells containing such electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolysis cell of the single-element type design for chlor-alkali electrolysis plants, comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, each of the two compartments containing an electrode connected to the rear wall of the respective compartment by means of parallel bars. The electrodes are thus subdivided into several sections. In accordance with the invention, at least one of two electrodes is provided with a curved shape in each section, this curved section protruding towards the opposite electrode and pressing a membrane area against the opposite electrode. According to a preferred embodiment, the curved shape of the various electrode sections is obtained by means of springs.

Abstract: A pressure electrolyzer having an electrolytic cell block that contains a number of electrolytic cells combined to form a stack, each electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode. The electrolytic cell block has a sealed housing formed by a number of stacked cell frames of the electrolytic cells, the cell frames being composed at least partially of a material that is elastic at least in a longitudinal direction of the electrolytic cell block and seals adjacent cell frames from each other. End plates are provided so as to hold the electrolytic cell block in place between the end plates under compression of the elastic material. Each of the cell frames has a rigid element that runs in a circumferential direction of the frame so as to mechanically stabilize the cell frame.

Abstract: A method of making a composite membrane with ion exchange properties includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a porous membrane from a first material, dissolving a coating material in a fluid at supercritical conditions, and exposing the porous membrane to the coating material dissolved in the supercritical fluid. The method also includes precipitating a uniform coating of the coating material onto an exterior surface of the porous membrane by changing the supercritical conditions of the fluid to a non-supercritical condition, and applying an ion exchange material to the coated porous membrane so that the ion exchange material is in intimate contact with substantially all of the coated surfaces of the porous membrane.

Abstract: Hydrogen is generated in a reactor, of a hydrogen generating apparatus, in which a catalyst is installed and the catalyst and a borohydride fuel are reacted. The hydrogen generating apparatus comprises a rotating disk to which the catalyst is fixed, a motor for rotating the rotating disk, and a fuel injector for flowing out the borohydride fuel against the catalyst. A compound generated from the borohydride is prevented from adhering to the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing monolithic and metal doped monolithic porous carbon disks from prepolymer organic precursors in the powder form composed of either or both polyimide and polybenzimidazole. The powders are consolidated (compressed) into disks and then pyrolyzed to form the desired porous carbon disk. Porous carbon-carbon composite disks are also prepared by adding carbon to the prepolymer organic precursors.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolysis installation comprising at least two rows of electrodes that are immersed at least in part in a liquid electrolyte giving off one or more gaseous species of corrosive nature at the electrodes, at least one separation membrane being disposed between two adjacent rows of electrodes. Each membrane is constituted by carbon fiber reinforcement stiffened by a carbon matrix and presents porous portion that is permeable to ions and impermeable to the or each gaseous species, given off at the electrolytes.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, in an aqueous solution 20 containing at least one type of ions (L) other than hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, voltage is applied between an ion-adsorbing electrode 11 containing an electrically conductive material (C1) capable of adsorbing ions and an ion-adsorbing electrode 12 containing an electrically conductive material (C2) capable of adsorbing ions so that the ion-adsorbing electrode 11 serves as an anode. Thus the electrically conductive material (C1) is allowed to adsorb an anion contained in the aqueous solution 20 and the electrically conductive material (C2) is allowed to adsorb a cation contained in the aqueous solution 20. Subsequently, in a liquid 30 containing water, voltage is applied between either the ion-adsorbing electrode 11 or the ion-adsorbing electrode 12 and counter electrode 13 or 14, resulting in changing the pH of the liquid 30.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for producing ozone by electrolysis of water. The apparatus comprises a pair of frames facing each other, and an anode and a cathode oppositely arranged between the two pieces of frames. Between the anode and the cathode is provided a solid polymer electrolyte membrane for transferring hydrogen ions formed during electrolysis. In addition, an auxiliary electrode is provided between the cathode and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane such that a scale can be formed on the surface of the auxiliary electrode. A spacer 60 is inserted between the anode and the cathode. Tap water as well as pure water and cation-exchanged water can be used as a raw material water to produce high-concentration ozone water. A uniformity of pressure between the electrodes and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be achieved, thereby providing for a stable operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a membrane-mediated electropolishing apparatus for polishing and/or planarizing metal work-pieces. The work-piece is wetted with a low-conductivity fluid. The wetted work-piece is contacted with a first side of a charge-selective ion-conducting membrane, wherein the second side contacts a conductive electrolyte solution in electrical contact with a electrode. Current flow between the electrode and the work-piece electropolishes metal from the work-piece.

Abstract: A reactor for electrochemically processing at least one surface of a microelectronic workpiece is set forth. The reactor comprises a reactor head including a workpiece support that has one or more electrical contacts positioned to make electrical contact with the microelectronic workpiece. The reactor also includes a processing container having a plurality of nozzles angularly disposed in a sidewall of a principal fluid flow chamber at a level within the principal fluid flow chamber below a surface of a bath of processing fluid normally contained therein during electrochemical processing. A plurality of anodes are disposed at different elevations in the principal fluid flow chamber so as to place them at difference distances from a microelectronic workpiece under process without an intermediate diffuser between the plurality of anodes and the microelectronic workpiece under process. One or more of the plurality of anodes may be in close proximity to the workpiece under process.

Abstract: A diaphragm electrolytic cell is composed of two or more overlaid modules; at least the upper modules having U-shaped anodes with diaphragm-coated cathodes housed within, allowing for a reduced electrode pitch.

Abstract: Blends of fluorinated ionomer with at least two nonionomeric fluoropolymers provide fuel cell membranes whose tensile strength and conductivity are superior to blends using a single fluoropolymer.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen peroxide includes an anode, a cathode and an intermediate membrane. The anode is associated with a first electrolyte and the cathode is associated with a second electrolyte. The use of two electrolytes associated with the respective electrodes permits the user to select the most suitable salt solutions for each electrode and so avoid production of gases and by-products unsuitable for a domestic environment. Thus, the electrolytic cell is suitable for use in an automatic dishwasher.

Abstract: A hydrogen production apparatus comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of rigid power feeders, separators, pressing means for pressing the separators and the power feeders against the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a pressure contact surface provided on each of the separators, a recess portion, and fluid channels. Hydrogen gas is obtained by applying a current to each of the power feeders to electrolyze water. A gap G in a range of less than an original thickness of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is provided between a surface of the power feeder which is provided at least in the cathode side separator and the pressure contact surface. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane intrudes into the gap G, because of elasticity of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and directly contacts with the surface of the power feeder provided at least in the cathode side separator.

Abstract: An electrode substrate for a fuel cell including a diffusion layer, a first microporous layer that embeds into the diffusion layer, with the first microporous layer having a thickness in the range of 10 to 30 ?m, and a second microporous layer that forms a boundary with the diffusion layer on the surface of the first microporous layer. The electrode substrate has improved performance such as increased diffusion properties of a fuel or an oxidant, increased properties of releasing moisture, and enhanced electron conductivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulating frame of an electrolysis cell having a microstructured internal section allowing the penetration of the electrolyte even if the structured section is partly or completely overlapped by the membrane, and to an electrolysis cell equipped with the same.

Abstract: An electrolysis device, for producing alkaline water from water, includes an electrolysis vessel, a pair of high porous electrodes arranged in the electrolysis vessel, and a cell unit arranged between the positive and negative electrodes. The pair of high porous electrodes respectively serve as a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The cell unit includes a bipolar membrane element and at least one cation exchangeable membrane. The bipolar membrane element has a cation exchangeable side and an anion exchangeable side. The cation exchangeable side is closer to the negative electrode than the anion exchangeable side. The cation exchangeable membrane is arranged between the anion exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element and the positive electrode, so as to define an alkalic chamber between the bipolar membrane element and the cation exchangeable membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for electrolyzing molten salt that can enhance the concentration of metal-fog forming metal in the molten salt by carrying out the electrolysis under conditions that the molten salt containing the chloride of metal-fog forming metal is supplied from one end of an electrolytic cell to a space between an anode and a cathode in a continuous or intermittent manner to provide a flow rate in one direction to the molten salt in the vicinity of the surface of the cathode and thus to allow the molten salt to flow in one direction in the vicinity of the surface of the cathode. According to the present invention, while high current efficiency is maintained, only the molten salt enriched with metal-fog forming metal such as Ca can be effectively taken out. Further, this method can easily be carried out by using the electrolytic cell according to the present invention.

Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an electrochemical cell including a proton exchange membrane and a method of treating nanoparticles using the same.

Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali polysulfide and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte solution includes alkali metal ions and a catholyte solvent. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfur in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Sulfur is recovered by removing and cooling a portion of the anolyte solution to precipitate solid phase sulfur. Operating the cell at low temperature causes elemental alkali metal to plate onto the cathode. The cathode may be removed to recover the alkali metal in batch mode or configured as a flexible band to continuously loop outside the catholyte compartment to remove the alkali metal.

Abstract: A cation-exchange membrane for electrolysis which comprises a fluoropolymer having ion-exchange groups and a porous base. It is characterized by having, on the anode-side surface of the membrane, protrusions comprising a polymer having ion-exchange groups. It is further characterized in that: when the average value of the heights of the tops of the protrusions from the anode-side surface of the membrane is expressed as h (?m), then 20?h?150; when the density of the protrusions distributed is expressed as P (protrusions per cm2), then 50?P?1,200; when the average proportion of the areas of those bottom parts of the protrusions which are on the same level as the anode-side surface of the membrane to the area of the anode-side surface of the membrane is expressed as S (cm2/cm2), then 0.001?S?0.6; and when the average proportion of the areas of the top parts of the protrusions to the area of the anode-side surface of the membrane is expressed as T (cm2/cm2), then T?0.05.

Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating an enclosed space as well as removing carbon dioxide from the enclosed space.

Abstract: Devices incorporating a thin wafer of electrically and ionically conductive porous material made by the method of introducing a mixture of a thermoplastic binder and one or more of anion exchange moieties or cation exchange moieties or mixtures thereof and/or one or more of a protein capture resin and an electrically conductive material into a mold. The mixture is subjected to temperatures in the range of from about 60° C. to about 170° C. at pressures in the range of from about 0 to about 500 psig for a time in the range of from about 1 to about 240 minutes to form thin wafers. Devices include electrodeionization and separative bioreactors in the production of organic and amino acids, alcohols or esters for regenerating cofactors in enzymes and microbial cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) disposed proximate a side of the MEA with an edge of the GDL disposed inboard of an edge of the MEA is disclosed. A sealing member is disposed proximate the edge of the GDL and extends outward toward the edge of the MEA, thereby defining a discontinuity between the GDL and the sealing member. A protector member is disposed between the MEA and the GDL such that the protector member traverses the discontinuity.

Abstract: [Problems] The liquid pressure of an anode chamber in a two-chamber ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell using a gas diffusion electrode are different among one another depending on depths so that the liquid pressures are applied on an anode or an ion exchange membrane, thereby introducing damage or deformation of the elements. [Means for Solving] A cushion material 10 is accommodated between a cathode gas chamber back plate 9 and a gas diffusion electrode 7 of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 such that a repulsive force of the cushion material at the bottom part of the cathode gas chamber is larger than that at the top part. The excessive pressure applied to an ion exchange membrane is suppressed to prevent the generation of scratches or the like by decreasing the repulsive force of the cushion material toward the top in accordance with a differential pressure between an anode chamber pressure and a cathode gas chamber pressure.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell comprising an anodic compartment and a cathodic compartment separated by an ion-exchange membrane, at least one of said compartments equipped with a gas-diffusion electrode having two major surfaces, the first major surface of said gas-diffusion electrode facing the membrane and being in contact with a planar porous element to be traversed by an electrode flow, the second major surface of said gas-diffusion electrode being in contact with a current distributor comprising a multiplicity of elastic conductive protrusions for compressing said gas-diffusion electrode against said planar porous element.