Patent ID: 8119302

Claim:
An edge-sealed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly made according to a method comprising the steps of: i) providing a membrane electrode assembly lay-up comprising: a) a polymer electrolyte membrane having an anode face, a cathode face, and an outer perimeter; b) A layer of anode catalyst material in contact with at least a portion of the anode face of said polymer electrolyte membrane; c) A layer of cathode catalyst material in contact with at least a portion of the cathode face of said polymer electrolyte membrane; d) an anode-side fluid transport layer, said anode-side fluid transport layer being in contact with said layer of anode catalyst material, said anode-side fluid transport layer having an outer perimeter non-coincident with the outer perimeter of said polymer electrolyte membrane; and e) a cathode-side fluid transport layer, said cathode-side fluid transport layer being in contact with said layer of cathode catalyst material, said cathode-side fluid transport layer having an outer perimeter non-coincident with the outer perimeter of said polymer electrolyte membrane; said membrane electrode assembly comprising no adhesive between said polymer electrolyte membrane and either of said fluid transport layers; ii) positioning adjacent to one or both of said anode-side fluid transport layer and said cathode-side fluid transport layer an annular layer of a thermoplastic; iii) applying pressure and heat sufficient to melt impregnate said thermoplastic into said fluid transport layer or layers and bond said fluid transport layer or layers to said polymer electrolyte membrane.