NOVELTY - A gasketed membrane electrode assembly comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) (1); a layer of anode catalyst; a layer of cathode catalyst material; anode-side fluid transport layer (2); a cathode-side fluid transport layer (3); an anode-side gasket (10); and a cathode-side gasket (11). The gaskets comprise an elastomeric gasket material which is impregnated into the outer edge portions of the respective fluid transport layer.    USE - For use in fuel cell, such as hydrogen fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE - The invention can seal to low tolerance mating parts, under low seal force, with an integral hard stop to prevent overcompression. The PEM is protected and mechanically supported over the entirety of both faces, by fluid transport layers and/or gasket, thus enabling the use of thinner PEM.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A gasketed membrane electrode assembly comprises:    (a) a polymer electrolyte membrane having an anode face with an outer edge portion (6), a cathode face with an outer edge portion, and an outer perimeter (16, 17);    (b) a layer of anode catalyst material in contact with at least a portion of the anode face of the polymer electrolyte membrane;    (c) a layer of cathode catalyst material in contact with at least a portion of the cathode face of the polymer electrolyte membrane;    (d) an anode-side fluid transport layer having an outer edge portion, the anode-side fluid transport layer being in contact with the layer of anode catalyst material, the anode-side fluid transport layer not extending over the outer edge portion of the anode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane;    (e) a cathode-side fluid transport layer having an outer edge portion, the cathode-side fluid transport layer being in contact with the layer of cathode catalyst material, the cathode-side fluid transport layer not extending over the outer edge portion of the cathode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane;    (f) an anode-side gasket extending over the outer edge portion of the anode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode-side gasket having a contact face and an outer perimeter; and    (g) a cathode-side gasket extending over the outer edge portion of the cathode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane, the cathode-side gasket having a contact face and an outer perimeter.    The gaskets comprise an elastomeric gasket material which is impregnated into the outer edge portions of the respective fluid transport layer. At least a portion of the contact face of each of the gaskets bears a raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of making a gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising positioning between platens of a press an anode-side fluid transport layer, a layer of anode catalyst material, a polymer electrolyte membrane having an anode face with an outer edge portion and a cathode face with an outer edge portion, a layer of cathode catalyst material, and a cathode-side fluid transport layer; applying an uncured elastomeric gasket material to the outer edge portion of the anode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane; applying an uncured elastomeric gasket material to the outer edge portion of the cathode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and applying heat and pressure to simultaneously bind together the parts, impregnate the uncured elastomeric gasket material into the outer edge portions of each fluid transport layer, and substantially cure the uncured elastomeric gasket material so as to form anode-side and cathode-side gaskets.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a schematic depiction of a cross-section of an edge portion of a membrane electrode assembly.    PEM (1)    Anode-side fluid transport layer (2)    Cathode-side fluid transport layer (3)    Outer edge portion (6)    Anode-side gasket (10)    Cathode-side gasket (11)    Outer perimeter (16, 17)