FUEL CELL STACK WITH ASYMMETRIC DIFFUSION MEDIA ON ANODE AND CATHODE

摘要

The present invention provides a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly disposed between a first diffusion media that has a first set of material characteristics and a second diffusion media that has a second set of material characteristics. The membrane electrode assembly and the first and second diffusion media provide a cell assembly. The cell assembly provides a water transport mechanism that selectively controls water transportation across a thickness of the first and second diffusion media and through the membrane electrode assembly. The first set of material characteristics has at least one material characteristic substantially different from at least one material characteristic of the second set of material characteristics. The selection of the first and second set of material characteristics defines the water transport mechanism for managing hydration of the first and the second diffusion media.