Patent ID: 8101318

Claim:
A method of fabricating a fuel cell assembly, comprising: A. providing at least one proton conducting layer, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect, and a planar anode current collector that is electrically connected to said anode aspect of the proton conducting layer, and a planar cathode current collector that is electrically connected to the cathode aspect of the proton conducting layer, and said proton conducting layer and each of said current collectors having at least one centrally disposed opening therein; B. disposing a spring assembly, comprised of a distribution plate and one or more springs, adjacent to one of said current collectors to apply pressure to the proton conducting layer, wherein the one or more springs are between the distribution plate and the adjacent current collector; C. providing a structural means to mechanically, but not electrically connect the anode and cathode current collectors; D. assembling the proton conducting layer, said spring assembly and said current collectors into the fuel cell assembly such that said structural means being of an elastomeric material passes through at least one centrally disposed opening in said anode current collector, and a plurality of other openings disposed proximate to one or more edges at the perimeter of the proton conducting layer through the proton conducting layer, from the anode to the cathode aspect of the of the proton conducting layer; F. applying pre-compression to the proton conducting layer, the spring assembly and the current collectors; and G. injection molding a frame around the perimeter of the fuel cell assembly providing uniformity of compression, uniformity of reactant flow and which maintains said compression.