Granted Patent B2

US 8,389,177 · App. 12/341,105 · Granted Mar 5, 2013

Abstract

Claims (12)

1. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:

a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region, the membrane support region formed at least partially by a microtruss structure comprising a substantially continuous, three-dimensional self-supporting radiation-cured structure, wherein the microtruss structure is imbibed with an ionomer to form an electrolyte membrane.

2. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrolyte membrane.

3. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 1 , wherein the feed region has at least one inlet aperture and at least one outlet aperture formed therein.

4. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 1 , wherein the feed region is a substantially solid, planar sheet.

5. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 1 , wherein the porous membrane support region extends into the feed region.

6. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 5 , wherein the porous membrane support region extending into the feed region is disposed between a pair of substantially solid, planar sheets.

7. The membrane electrode assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first area of the feed region disposed adjacent the membrane support region has a first thickness substantially the same as an average thickness of the membrane support region, and wherein a second area of the feed region spaced apart from the membrane support region has a second thickness greater than the average thickness of the membrane support region.

8. A fuel cell, comprising:

a membrane electrode assembly having a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region, the membrane support region formed at least partially by a microtruss structure comprising a substantially continuous, three-dimensional self-supporting radiation-cured structure, the microtruss structure imbibed with an ionomer to form an electrolyte membrane, and a pair of electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrolyte membrane;

a pair of gas diffusion media, each of the gas diffusion media disposed on one of the electrodes; and

a pair of electrically conductive fuel cell plates, wherein the subgasket, electrolyte membrane, electrodes, and gas diffusion media are disposed between the fuel cell plates.

Assignments (12)