Patent ID: 8524414
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region, the unitized electrode assembly comprising: an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes, the electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes disposed between a pair of diffusion media and configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell, wherein the electrolyte membrane is configured to not extend substantially into the feed region; and a barrier layer coupled to the electrolyte membrane, the barrier layer configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell, the barrier layer abutting but not impregnating each of the electrolyte membrane and at least one of the pair of electrodes, wherein the barrier layer is disposed on at least a portion of the electrolyte membrane; wherein the electrolyte membrane has an exposed portion that extends from between the pair of electrodes, the exposed portion overlapping a portion of the barrier layer, and at least one of the electrodes overlaps the barrier layer.