FUEL CELL MEMBRANE HUMIDIFICATION

摘要

A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell assembly (10) has an anode side (12) and a cathode side (14) separated by the membrane (16) and generating electrical current by electrochemical reactions between a fuel gas and an oxidant. The anode side (12) comprises a hydrophobic gas diffusion backing (24) contacting one side of the membrane (16) and having hydrophilic areas therein for providing liquid water directly to the one side of the membrane (16) through the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing (24). In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing (24) are formed by sewing a hydrophilic thread (34) through the gas diffusion backing (24).