MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE-ASSEMBLY WITH TRIMMED PROTON-CONSUMING ELECTRODE

Aspects of the disclosure include a membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) with a trimmed proton-consuming electrode. An exemplary vehicle includes an electric motor, a battery, and a proton exchange membrane electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a proton-generating electrode, a proton-consuming electrode, and a membrane positioned between the proton-generating electrode and the proton-consuming electrode (the proton-generating electrode, proton-consuming electrode, and membrane collectively defining a membrane-electrode-assembly), and a gas diffusion layer positioned in direct contact with the proton-consuming electrode. The proton-consuming electrode is trimmed with respect to a first edge of the membrane and with respect to a second edge of the membrane. The first edge is orthogonal to the second edge. The proton-consuming electrode is trimmed using laser ablation at a focus depth that bypasses the membrane.