An electrochemical unit cell comprising: a separator disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are sized and positioned such that first and second perimeter regions (108, 108') that are not in contact with the first and second electrodes exist on opposing sides of the separator; a first bipolar plate in contact with the first electrode; a second bipolar plate in contact with the second electrode; a first compressible seal disposed on the separator in the first perimeter region; a second compressible seal disposed on the separator in the second perimeter region; a first frame layer and a second frame layer defined about an outer perimeter of the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal, the first frame layer having a first window defined therein and the second frame layer having a second window defined therein; a third frame layer in contact with the first compressible seal and with the first frame layer; a fourth frame layer in contact with the second compressible seal and with the second frame layer, the third frame layer having a third window defined therein and the fourth frame layer having a fourth window defined therein, wherein third window 132 is smaller than first window 122 and fourth window 132' is smaller than second window 122' such that third frame layer 130 contacts the first compressible seal and fourth frame layer contacts the second compressible seal; a fifth frame layer adjacent to the third frame layer; a sixth frame layer adjacent to the fourth frame layer; a seventh frame layer adjacent to the fifth frame layer; wherein the first bipolar plate is adhered to the seventh frame layer and occludes a window therein; and an eighth frame layer adjacent to the sixth frame layer; wherein the second bipolar plate is adhered to the eighth frame layer and occludes a window therein; and wherein each of the frame layers comprises a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the fifth frame layer and the sixth frame layer has a flow distribution channel defined therein. a separator disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are sized and positioned such that first and second perimeter regions (108, 108') that are not in contact with the first and second electrodes exist on opposing sides of the separator; a first bipolar plate in contact with the first electrode; a second bipolar plate in contact with the second electrode; a first compressible seal disposed on the separator in the first perimeter region; a second compressible seal disposed on the separator in the second perimeter region; a first frame layer and a second frame layer defined about an outer perimeter of the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal, the first frame layer having a first window defined therein and the second frame layer having a second window defined therein; a third frame layer in contact with the first compressible seal and with the first frame layer; a fourth frame layer in contact with the second compressible seal and with the second frame layer, the third frame layer having a third window defined therein and the fourth frame layer having a fourth window defined therein, wherein third window 132 is smaller than first window 122 and fourth window 132' is smaller than second window 122' such that third frame layer 130 contacts the first compressible seal and fourth frame layer contacts the second compressible seal; a fifth frame layer adjacent to the third frame layer; a sixth frame layer adjacent to the fourth frame layer; a seventh frame layer adjacent to the fifth frame layer; wherein the first bipolar plate is adhered to the seventh frame layer and occludes a window therein; and an eighth frame layer adjacent to the sixth frame layer; wherein the second bipolar plate is adhered to the eighth frame layer and occludes a window therein; and wherein each of the frame layers comprises a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the fifth frame layer and the sixth frame layer has a flow distribution channel defined therein.