Patent ID: 7914943

Claim:
A solid polymer fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a solid polymer membrane disposed therebetween; and a first flow field plate which conveys a fuel flow in contact with said anode and a second flow field plate which conveys an oxidant flow in contact with said cathode, each of the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate having a first major surface and a second major surface, as well as at least one manifold opening; wherein, the membrane electrode assembly is adhesively attached to the first major surface of the first flow field plate by an adhesive material that is disposed around the perimeter of the membrane electrode assembly to provide a substantially fluid leak-tight seal, and forms an adhesive joint between said first major surface of the first flow field plate and the membrane electrode assembly; the second major surface of the second flow field plate is in non-adhesive contact with the membrane electrode assembly; the second major surface of the second flow field plate comprises an adhesive joint recess adapted to receive the adhesive joint without adhesive contact between said adhesive joint and said recess; and the adhesive joint recess further comprises at least one ridge adapted to contact the adhesive joint.