Novel systems for combinatorially screening an array of electrochemical
cells are disclosed. The screening aparatus may comprise a system of
electrodes and electrolytes common to each of the members of an
electrochemical cell array. An electrochemical probe is used to supply a
reactive fluid (or reactive species) to only one of the cells in the
array at a time. The probe is configured to address each of the cells of
the array individually, and to be chemically isolated from all of the
other cells of the array. Thus, the cells of the array that are not being
addressed by the probe are in a non-active condition. Such a system is
capable of combinatorially screening a library of materials, including
catalyst, electrode, and electrolyte materials, wherein each of the
members of the library defines one of the cells of the array.