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An improved electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is disclosed including a porous support plate for enhancing transport of fluids throughout the cell and for enhancing capacitance and transient response capability of the cell. The electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte having opposed major

An improved electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is disclosed including a porous support plate for enhancing transport of fluids throughout the cell and for enhancing capacitance and transient response capability of the cell. The electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte having opposed major surfaces with an anode and a cathode electrode supported in intimate contact with the opposed major surfaces. A porous support plate is secured adjacent each electrode, and each porous support plate includes a contact bi-layer in intimate contact with the electrode. Each contact bi-layer is comprised of a hydrophobic phase including a mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic polymer defining a network of hydrophobic gas passages and each contact bi-layer also includes a hydrophilic phase including a mixture of carbon black and a proton exchange resin defining a network of hydrophilic liquid passages integrated throughout the contact bi-layer. Each porous support plate also includes a porous substrate layer adjacent and supporting the contact bi-layer. A method of manufacture of the porous support plate includes the steps of preparing a hydrophobic phase compound, preparing a hydrophilic phase compound, mixing and filtering the two compounds to form a contact bi-layer, transferring the contact bi-layer onto a porous substrate layer to form a porous support plate. An alternative method includes an additional step of activating the contact bi-layer in an acid bath at controlled electrical potentials to enhance capacitance of the cell.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electrochemical cell, comprising:a. an electrolyte held within a porous non-conductive matrix having a first major surface and an opposed second major surface;b. an anode electrode supported in intimate contact with the first major surface and a cathode electrode suppo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electrochemical cell, comprising:a. an electrolyte held within a porous non-conductive matrix having a first major surface and an opposed second major surface;b. an anode electrode supported in intimate contact with the first major surface and a cathode electrode supported in intimate contact with the second major surface; andc. at least one porous support plate including a contact bi-layer adjacent the anode or cathode electrode supported on a porous substrate layer, wherein the contact bi-layer includes hydrophobic phase means for facilitating gas transfer and for restricting liquid absorption through a network of hydrophobic gas passages integrated throughout the contact bi-layer and the contact bi-layer also includes hydrophilic phase means for facilitating liquid transfer through a network of hydrophilic liquid passages integrated throughout the contact bi-layer, and for increasing capacitance of the cell.