Patent ID: 8298719

Claim:
A fuel cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) having opposing cathode and anode surfaces and a liquid water barrier (LWB) layer disposed on the cathode side of said PEM, wherein said LWB layer comprises hydrophobic pores, is electrically conductive, allows the diffusion of oxygen gas across said layer and resists the flow of liquid water and wherein said PEM comprises: (i) passages at predetermined positions across said PEM; (ii) passages having an effective hydraulic diameter of 1 to 25 microns that extend from said cathode surface to said anode surface; (iii) passages that extend from said cathode surface to said anode surface that are substantially perpendicular to said anode; (iv) passages that extend from said cathode surface to said anode surface that are spaced approximately 0.1-20 millimeters from each other; (v) a high water permeation aspect and a low water permeation aspect, wherein said high water permeation aspect comprises integral flow passages between said opposing surfaces; or (vi) holes that extend from said cathode surface to said anode surface; said fuel cell further comprising a liquid water distribution (LWD) layer comprising hydrophobic pores, where said LWD layer is electrically conductive and allows the flow of liquid water through or across said LWD layer.