Membrane electrode assembly incorporating unified encapsulation and electrocoat paint systems incorporating the same

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly incorporating an encapsulation assembly process that separates the counter-electrode, and the electrocoat medium from contacting the electrode, which is located behind the membrane ion exchange layer. The encapsulation process provides of method of singularly encasing independent components that comprise the membrane electrode assembly, without the assistance of first structures used in enclosure, framing, enclosure sealing or bonding the components in place, individually, and or in groups thereof from the electrocoat medium, while providing an internal chamber within the membrane electrode assembly, for independent fluid circulation. In further embodiments of the invention, electrode membrane cells having an internal fluid routing system, protective guard around the periphery of the encapsulation layer, a membrane support system adjacent to the membrane, a nonconductive barrier, the membrane, the electrode, and membrane inner spacer bonded by the encapsulation material, cells utilizing the encapsulation method of construction and assembly processes providing the final electrode membrane cell assembly. (end of abstract)