Patent ID: 7862956

Claim:
A flexible flow field separator, comprising: a substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces; a structured flow field pattern defined on the first surface of the substrate layer, the structured flow field pattern defining one or more fluid channels; a first layer formed of an electrically conductive material and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer; a second layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate layer, the second layer formed of a flexible electrically conductive material, wherein the second layer comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacting the second surface of the substrate layer; a second substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the second substrate layer contacting the second surface of the second layer; and a second structured pattern defined on the first surface of the second substrate layer, the second structured pattern defining one or more fluid channels; and a third layer formed of an electrically conductive material and disposed on the second substrate layer; wherein the first layer contacts the second layer at one or more locations to define an electrical connection between the first and second layers; wherein the substrate layer is formed from a substantially electrically non-conductive material or a material having an electrical conductivity substantially less than that of the electrical connection defined between the first and second layers; and wherein the second substrate layer is formed from a substantially electrically non-conductive material or a material having an electrical conductivity substantially less than that of the electrical connection defined between the second and third layers.