A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

Electrolyte membrane electrode structures that constitute a fuel cell according to the present invention have a staggered arrangement wherein a part of an anode electrode faces a part of one of two adjacent cathode electrodes, with an electrolyte membrane being interposed therebetween, and another part of the anode electrode faces a part of the other cathode electrode, with an interconnect part being interposed therebetween, said interconnect part being formed in the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane electrode structures are sealed in a laminate layer which is obtained by bonding an anode-side porous film that covers the anode electrode and a cathode-side porous film that covers the cathode electrodes with each other.

The disclosure provides an ion exchange membrane with ion-conducting nanochannels formed by crosslinking chitosan molecular chains to form a unique threefold helical conformation and nanochannels that facilitate ion transport. The crosslinking promotes ion conductivity, suppresses swelling in water, inhibits fuel permeation, and enhances mechanical strength. The ion exchange membrane is stable in harsh alkaline environments. The ion exchange membrane can be used in a direct methanol fuel cell that displays an exceptional power density of 305 mW cm.sup.−2.

The disclosure provides an ion exchange membrane with ion-conducting nanochannels formed by crosslinking chitosan molecular chains to form a unique threefold helical conformation and nanochannels that facilitate ion transport. The crosslinking promotes ion conductivity, suppresses swelling in water, inhibits fuel permeation, and enhances mechanical strength. The ion exchange membrane is stable in harsh alkaline environments. The ion exchange membrane can be used in a direct methanol fuel cell that displays an exceptional power density of 305 mW cm.sup.−2.

A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A carbon foam formed of carbon fibers, where, at 90% or more of any 20 locations, the carbon fibers have a fiber diameter that is within ±20% of an average fiber diameter.

A carbon foam formed of carbon fibers, where, at 90% or more of any 20 locations, the carbon fibers have a fiber diameter that is within ±20% of an average fiber diameter.

In a power generating cell, on a surface on a side opposite from an electrolyte membrane in an anode, there are provided an outer peripheral surface positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the anode, a central surface located more inwardly than an inner peripheral portion of a resin frame member, and a stepped portion connecting the outer peripheral surface and the central surface to each other. A height of the central surface from the electrolyte membrane is lower than that of the outer peripheral surface. A protruding end surface of an end linear protrusion is in contact with the central surface.

In a power generating cell, on a surface on a side opposite from an electrolyte membrane in an anode, there are provided an outer peripheral surface positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the anode, a central surface located more inwardly than an inner peripheral portion of a resin frame member, and a stepped portion connecting the outer peripheral surface and the central surface to each other. A height of the central surface from the electrolyte membrane is lower than that of the outer peripheral surface. A protruding end surface of an end linear protrusion is in contact with the central surface.

A carbon foam formed of carbon fibers, where, at 90% or more of any 20 locations, the carbon fibers have a fiber diameter that is within ±20% of an average fiber diameter.