CROSS LAMINATED ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL MEMBRANES
A fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrolyte is formed of a first layer ( 6 ) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in one direction, laminated to a second layer ( 7 ) having its stronger tensile strength oriented perpendicular to the stronger direction of the first layer.
1 . An electrochemical cell membrane characterized by:
two proton exchange membrane layers adhered to one another
with one of said layers ( 6 ) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in a first direction and another of said layers ( 7 ) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.
2 . (canceled)
3 . A proton exchange membrane according to claim 1 characterized in that:
each of said layers ( 6 , 7 ) is a NAFION® membrane.
4 . A fuel cell power plant comprising:
at least one electrochemical cell proton exchange membrane according to claim 1 .
5 . A method of forming an electrochemical cell proton exchange membrane, characterized by:
providing two separate proton exchange membrane layers ( 6 , 7 ) of perfluorinated copolymer, each having its strongest tensile strength along an axis; and
adhering said two layers together into a single electrochemical cell proton exchange membrane, the axis of one of said layers ( 6 ) being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the other of said layers ( 7 ) after adhering together.
6 . The method of claim 5 further characterized in that: said providing step provides two NAFION® membrane layers.