Patent ID: 6756149
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An electrochemical fuel cell comprising:(a) a pair of substantially fluid impermeable flow field plates each comprising an inlet, an outlet, a first major surface and a second major surface, the first surface of each flow field plate comprising a plurality of reactant flow passages for directing a reactant stream from the inlet to the outlet; (b) a pair of fluid distribution layers interposed between the first surfaces of the flow field plates; (c) an ion exchange membrane interposed between at least a portion of the fluid distribution layers; and (d) electrocatalyst interposed between at least a portion of each of the fluid distribution layers and at least a portion of the membrane, thereby defining the active region; wherein at least one reactant flow passage is narrower at the inlet than at the outlet, and the cross-sectional area of the at least one reactant flow passage is substantially constant from the inlet to the outlet.