A bipolar assembly for use in electrochemical cell stacks, especially
stacks operated at low pressure. The bipolar assembly is lightweight and
provides a "post-type" flow field that operates with a low pressure drop.
The bipolar assembly comprises a gas barrier having an array of
electronically conducting posts disposed approximately perpendicular to
the gas barrier. Each end of the posts is in electrical communication
with the surface of an electrode. Because the bipolar assembly separates
a cathode from an anode, the posts contact an anode electrode on one end
and a cathode electrode on the other end. The posts provide current
conduction through the stack as well as provide the flow fields for the
electrochemical reactants. Optionally, the bipolar assembly may contain
cooling fluid channels formed by adding additional gas barriers to the
bipolar assembly. The space between the gas barriers form a channel
through which cooling fluids may be circulated.