Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) comprising an anode terminal electrically connected to an anode catalyst in fluid communication with a fuel supply; a cathode catalyst in fluid communication with a gaseous oxidant; an electrically conducting cathode plate having a collecting element with evaporation holes, a bendable segment and a terminal site, which collecting element is electrically connected to the cathode catalyst; and a housing containing the collecting element, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) between the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst

Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell comprising a housing containing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which anode section and which cathode section are contained in the housing, the cathode section comprising a cathode collection element having one or more ventilation holes, which cathode collection element is electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, which cathode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and the anode section comprising an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst, the DAFC comprising an oleophobic filter covering the ventilation hole(s). The oleophobic filter may be held in place using any appropriate means as desired. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalytic structure the method including the steps of: providing a solution of a precursor compound in a solvent at ambient conditions; providing a suspension of a support material having a specific surface area of at least 1 m2/g in a solvent at ambient conditions; mixing the solution of the precursor compound and the suspension of the support material; providing a reactive solvent in a supercritical or subcritical state; admixing the mixture of the solution of the precursor compound and the suspension of the support material in the supercritical or subcritical reactive solvent to form a reaction solution; injecting the reaction solution into a reactor tube via an inlet; allowing a reaction of the precursor compound in the supercritical or subcritical reactive solvent in the reactor tube to form the catalyst nanoparticles on the support material to provide the catalytic structure.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) comprises a fuel cell (101) and a boost converter (102), wherein said boost converter (102) is adapted for boosting the fuel cell voltage to a level suitable to power the portable electronic device (100) and wherein said boost converter (102) is powered by said fuel cell (101). The invention also provides a method of operating a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A fuel cell for a portable electronic device having a liquid fuel reservoir (100) wherein at least a part of the inner surface (103) and a part of an outer surface (104) of the fuel reservoir wall (102) are gas permeable, wherein said wall is adapted such that the area of the open parts of the inner surface (103) of the wall is larger than the area of the open parts of said outer surface (104) of the wall, wherein said wall is porous and adapted to allow gas to enter said wall and to be transported along said wall in a direction substantially parallel with the plane of the wall and to leave said wall, and wherein said wall is adapted such that the inner surface is hydrophobic. The invention further provides a portable electronic device and a method of manufacturing a liquid fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) comprises a fuel cell (101) and a boost converter (102), wherein said boost converter (102) is adapted for boosting the fuel cell voltage to a level suitable to power the portable electronic device (100) and wherein said boost converter (102) is powered by said fuel cell (101). The invention also provides a method of operating a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A fuel cell for a portable electronic device having a liquid fuel reservoir (100) wherein at least a part of the inner surface (103) and a part of an outer surface (104) of the fuel reservoir wall (102) are gas permeable, wherein said wall is adapted such that the area of the open parts of the inner surface (103) of the wall is larger than the area of the open parts of said outer surface (104) of the wall, wherein said wall is porous and adapted to allow gas to enter said wall and to be transported along said wall in a direction substantially parallel with the plane of the wall and to leave said wall, and wherein said wall is adapted such that the inner surface is hydrophobic. The invention further provides a portable electronic device and a method of manufacturing a liquid fuel reservoir.