Patent ID: 8173326

Claim:
An electrochemical device component ( 20 ) for use in a planar configuration air breathing polymer electrolyte electrochemical device adapted to be attached to an anode support ( 10 ) having openings for gas access further comprising: an anode current collector ( 1 ), which comprises an electrically conductive foil having openings ( 12 , 13 ) for gas access; a cathode current collector ( 2 ); and - a membrane electrode assembly ( 3 ), which comprises a solid ion conducting polymer membrane electrolyte ( 4 ), an anode ( 5 ), an anode gas backing ( 6 ), a cathode ( 7 ) and a cathode gas backing ( 8 ), said membrane electrode assembly ( 3 ) being arranged between said anode current collector ( 1 ) and said cathode current collector ( 2 ), such that the anode gas backing ( 6 ) is directed towards the anode current collector ( 1 ) and the cathode gas backing ( 8 ) is directed towards the cathode current collector ( 2 ), said membrane electrode assembly ( 3 ) being attached directly to the anode current collector ( 1 ) by means of an adhesive layer ( 9 ) provided on the anode current collector, wherein said adhesive layer covers a first region ( 9 a ) adjacent and corresponding to the anode gas backing ( 6 ), and a second region ( 9 b ) surrounding said first region ( 9 a ), thereby creating a sealing between the membrane electrode assembly ( 3 ) and the anode current collector ( 1 ) and thus forming an anode gas chamber, and wherein said adhesive layer is electrically conductive in at least the first region ( 9 a ), wherein a second surface of said anode current collector ( 1 ) is provided with a second adhesive layer ( 15 ) and a releasable protective sheet ( 16 ), removed before use of the component.