FRAMELESS FUEL CELL STACK HAVING HOLLOW FASTENERS

A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.