Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first flow field plate for an anode side and a second flow field plate for a cathode side where each of the first flow field plates include channels configured to provide matching interdigitated flow fields. The fuel cell includes the first flow plate that receives fuel and a second flow plate arranged on an opposite side of the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving an oxidant. Each fuel flow plate includes ribs that separate inlet channels from outlet channels. Inlet flow entering the inlet channel is directed over these ribs into an adjacent outlet channel. The outlet channel then provides for outlet flow of the fuel, oxidant and water. Because a solid plate polymer electrolyte fuel cell does not include flow field plates having a porous configuration, water management is difficult to balance and is accomplished through the polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a plurality of angularly spaced fuel cell stacks arranged to form a ring-shaped structure about a central axis, each of the fuel cell stacks having a stacking direction extending parallel to the central axis. The fuel cell unit also includes an annular cathode feed manifold surrounding the fuel cell stacks to deliver a cathode feed flow thereto, a plurality of baffles extending parallel to the central axis, each of the baffles located between an adjacent pair of the fuel cell stacks to direct a cathode feed flow from the annular cathode feed manifold and radially inwardly through the adjacent pair, and an annular cathode exhaust manifold surrounded by the fuel cell stacks to receive a cathode exhaust flow therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrode structure capable of separately delivering gas and fluid which is applied to a passive fuel cell. The electrode structure includes an electrode portion and a water removal plate, and the electrode portion is adjacent to the water removal plate. The water removal plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of gas passages passing from the first surface to the second surface, and a plurality of liquor passages disposed on the first surface. The surfaces of the gas passages are treated with hydrophobic treatment, and the surfaces of the liquor passages are treated with hydrophilic treatment.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.

Abstract: A differential pressure in a boundary portion between a streaked or linear fluid channel formed of a plurality of convex and concave portions disposed adjacent to one another in an undulated manner and a distribution channel for distributing a reactant gas or cooling water to be introduced into the plurality of fluid channels is reduced. In a structure of a separator of a fuel cell having a structure including streaked fluid channels formed of adjacent convex and concave portions formed on the surface of the separator, and a distribution channel which distributes, to these fluid channels, a fluid to be introduced into the fluid channels, in a boundary portion between the linear fluid channel and the distribution channel, a position of a terminal end of the convex portion constituting the fluid channel and a position of a terminal end of the concave portion are displaced in a streak direction of the fluid channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell elements which are layered on one another with separating plates located between the fuel cell elements. Inside channels are formed to supply a combustion gas and discharge the exhaust gas. The fuel cell stack is characterized in that, on a first side of the fuel cell elements, several parallel lengthwise channels are formed for routing of the combustion gas, and on the ends of the channels, a distributor zone is formed which connects the supply channel to the respectively first ends of the lengthwise channels, and a collecting zone is formed which connects the discharge channel to the second ends of the lengthwise channels, and that there is an oxidizer guide on the second side of the fuel cell elements, the oxidizer guide running in the direction of the lengthwise channels.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a plurality of first projections protruded toward the second plate to define reactive gas flow paths, the second plate has a plurality of second projections protruded toward the first plate to define reactive gas flow paths. A top of each of the plurality of first projections is in contact with an intermediate part between adjacent two of the plurality of second projections formed on the second plate, and a top of each of the plurality of second projections is in contact with an intermediate part between adjacent two of the plurality of first projections formed on the first plate.

Abstract: The present teachings encompass proton-conductive material comprising a new polymer compound. A proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell comprising the proton-conductive electrolyte are disclosed. A proton-conductive material comprising poly(phosphophenylene oxide) that comprises polyphenylene oxide as the main chain, and at least one phosphonic acid group as a side chain of the main chain, a proton-conductive electrolyte comprising the proton-conductive material, and a fuel cell employing the proton-conductive electrolyte, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The bipolar plate is of a relatively simple design and a low production cost. In addition, it only requires two supply ducts. It consists essentially of a separator (20) sandwiched between two distributors (14) each consisting of a deformed sheet so that a distribution channel (16A, 16B) is formed on each of the two sides. A central hole (15) is used to connect both channels so as to only form a single distribution channel from one end of the distributor to the other. The fuel and oxidant gases may be evacuated to the outside or collected in peripheral evacuation holes (28) similar to the supply holes (17).

Abstract: A separator having a separator member coupled body having a metal plate as a base body, and formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and frame coupled bodies each made of an insulating material, each having openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and each formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame portions that give insulation between the unit cells, wherein said frame coupled bodies, making a pair, sandwich said separator member coupled body from its both sides, and each frame portion of one of said frame coupled bodies is capable of fitting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell into the opening.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer for fuel cell of the present invention is structured with a porous member mainly comprised of conductive particles such as acetylene black, graphite and a polymer resin such as PTFE. This makes it possible to achieve both an improvement in power generation performance of the fuel cell and a reduction in costs.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator sheet and a perforated support sheet connected to the separator sheet. The perforated support sheet and separator sheet are comprised of a nickel-based alloy. A porous layer is located between the separator sheet and the support sheet and provides an electrical connection between the separator sheet and the support sheet.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a main body including a first partial header and a fastening point. The main body is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of plates forming a fuel cell stack, allowing a single plate design to be used for multiple fuel cell stack lengths having a large differential of energy requirements, affording a durable alignment mechanism for the fuel cell stack, and providing integration flexibility for components and configurations of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator includes an oxygen-containing gas flow field. An inlet buffer area is provided between the oxygen-containing gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and an outlet buffer area is provided between the oxygen-containing gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. Plural columnar resistance members are provided within the inlet buffer area and the outlet buffer area. The membrane electrode assembly further includes first and second humidification sections.

Abstract: A conductive and tabular separator is inserted into the gap between the fuel electrode layer of an i-th power generating cell and the oxidizer electrode layer of an (i+1)-th power generating cell adjacent to the fuel electrode layer. A fuel supply passage is so formed on one face of each of these separators that a fuel gas flows radially from almost the center of the fuel electrode layer to its edge. An oxidizer supply passage is so formed on the other face that an oxidizer gas outgoes almost uniformly in a shower toward the oxidizer polar layer. Thus, all of the surfaces of the power generating cells contribute to power generation to increase the frequency of collision between the fuel gas and the fuel electrode layer and that between the oxidizer gas and the oxidizer electrode layer, and to improve the generation efficiency.

Abstract: A separator suitable for alkaline cells or alkaline fuel cells is described that contains on the surface a copolymer of a hydrophobic PTFE component and a hydrophilic PVA-component. This separator resists silver oxidation, peroxide oxidation and provides high hydroxyl conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel diffusion unit including: a fuel diffusion plate; a diffusion sheet disposed on fuel diffusion plate, to evenly distribute a fuel to the fuel diffusion plate; a primary transportation unit disposed on the diffusion sheet; secondary transportation units connected to the primary transportation unit, to distribute the fuel to the fuel from the primary transportation unit to the diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheet has a wetting direction that allows the fuel to flow in a predetermined direction. The fuel diffusion unit can be included in a fuel supply unit and a fuel cell system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that relates to an electrochemical cell assembly. The apparatus is capable of controlling water loss from a fuel cell, at least in part by separating gas and liquid fluid flows. A variety of flow designs are provided that separate liquid electrolyte flow from reagent gas flow. Some flow designs may be suitable for one or more of fuel cells, rechargeable fuel cells, and batteries such as metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, some embodiments may include a single electrochemical cell, or plurality of cells arranged in parallel or in series. Some embodiments may also relate to methods of mitigating water loss from an electrochemical cell assembly.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate of a fuel cell includes a main body and a supporting frame. The main body includes a plurality of fluid channels and an opening, wherein the fluid channels converge at the opening. The supporting frame, mounted on the periphery of the opening, is annular shaped and frames the fluid channels. The supporting frame includes a pair of supporting walls respectively disposed on two sides of the fluid channels.

Abstract: A titanium material for a solid polymer fuel cell separator having a low contact resistance and a method of production of the same, the titanium material having at its surface a surface layer structure in which particles of a Ti compound containing either C or N are dispersed, the particles of Ti compound being covered by titanium oxide and/or metal Ti, characterized in that, when analyzed from the surface by XPS, a Ti2p spectrum of TiO2 is detected, further, at a Ti2p spectral energy range of TiO and/or a Ti2p spectral energy range of metal Ti, a Ti maximum detection peak height is at least 3 times the standard deviations of the background at the respective spectral energy ranges, and at a C1s spectral energy range and N1s spectral energy range, a maximum detection peak height is less than 3 times the standard deviations of the background at the respective spectral energy ranges of C1s and N1s, are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells (“SOFCs”) comprising ferritic stainless steel and having at least one via that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops a scale comprising a manganese-chromate spinel on at least a portion of a surface thereof, and at least one gas flow channel that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops an aluminum-rich oxide scale on at least a portion of a surface thereof. Other embodiments relate to interconnects comprising a ferritic stainless steel and having a fuel side comprising metallic material that resists oxidation during operation of the SOFCs, and optionally include a nickel-base superalloy on the oxidant side thereof. Still other embodiments relate to ferritic stainless steels adapted for use as interconnects comprising ?0.1 weight percent aluminum and/or silicon, and >1 up to 2 weight percent manganese. Methods of making interconnects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electricity generating element, which generates electrical energy through a reaction of a fuel and oxygen. The electricity generating element includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), a first separator positioned at a first side of the MEA and having a heat sink element positioned therein for dissipating heat generated through the reaction of the fuel and oxygen, and a second separator positioned at a second, opposite side of the MEA.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell includes a conductive microparticle layer and a base material layer. The conductive microparticle layer is formed with first pores of no less than 0.5 ?m and no more than 50 ?m and second pores of no less than 0.05 ?m and less than 0.5 ?m. Pores are also formed in the base material layer. A total volume of the second pores is no less than 50% and less than 100% of a total volume of all of the pores in the conductive microparticle layer. By properly setting a pore size D1 of pores having a maximum volume ratio from among the first pores, water passages are formed in the first pores separately from gas passages formed in the second pores.

Abstract: A cell unit of a mixed reactant fuel cell comprises a multiphase mixed reactant fluid distributor, an anode and cathode in fluid and electronic communication with the distributor, and a separator positioned relative to one of the anode and the cathode to provide electronic insulation and ionic communication between the cell unit and another adjacent cell unit. The distributor is electronically conductive and the reactant fluid which flows through the distributor has fuel and oxidant each in separate fluid phases, wherein at least one of the fuel and oxidant fluid phases is a liquid.

Abstract: A power generation cell includes an anode side seal member and a cathode side seal member. The anode side seal member is provided outside an anode of a membrane electrode assembly, and directly contacts a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode side seal member is provided outside the membrane electrode assembly. A space is formed between the anode side seal member and the cathode side seal member. First ribs are formed integrally with the anode side seal member. The first ribs protrude toward the space. Further, second ribs are formed integrally with the cathode side seal member. The second ribs protrude toward the space. The first ribs and the second ribs are arranged alternately.

Abstract: A fuel cell may include a porous plate having an embedded flow field formed therein, a catalyst supported on and within the porous plate, and a proton exchange membrane in contact with the porous plate and catalyst. Such fuel cells may be arranged to form a fuel cell stack configured to provide power to move a vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack having a header and active area in fluid communication with the header. The fuel cell system may also include a wedge disposed within the header and configured to alter the cross-sectional area of the header along the length of the stack such that, during operation of the stack, a flow velocity of gas through the active area is generally constant.

Abstract: To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) cross sections having intersecting polygons or other shapes, obtuse angles including triangles and trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120), or (e) diverging channels (152).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and at least one bipolar plate having an anode-side gas distributor structure for distributing anode reactants, a cathode-side gas distributor structure for distributing cathode reactants, and a guide passage structure for distributing a cooling medium. At least one of the anode-side gas distributor structure and the cathode-side gas distributor structure is divided into at least a first field and a second field, each of the first and second fields having an entry port and an exit port for the reactants. In addition, a method for such a fuel cell includes passing a reactant into an entry port of the first field and out of an exit port of the first field, mixing the reactant with a fresh reactant so as to form a mixture, and passing the mixture into the entry port of the second field.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane 16 is arranged inside first and second frames 13 and 14. The electrolyte membrane 16 has a first surface, on which an anode side electrocatalytic layer 17 is superimposed, and a second surface, on which a cathode side electrocatalytic layer 18 is superimposed. The electrocatalytic layer 17 has a surface on which an anode side gas flow path formation body 21 including a gas flow path 21c for supplying fuel gas is superimposed. Further, the electrocatalytic layer 18 has a surface on which a cathode side gas flow path formation body 22 including a gas flow path 22c for supplying oxidation gas is superimposed. The first and second gas flow path formation bodies 21 and 22 have surfaces on which first and second separators 23 and 24 are superimposed, respectively.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a fuel cell fluid flow field plate is provided. The fuel cell fluid flow field plate includes a flexible substrate including a fluid distribution zone having at least one flow channel, a manifold penetrating the flexible substrate and next to the fluid distribution zone, an upward extending portion extending upward at a position near an interface between the manifold and the fluid distribution zone, wherein a bend angle is between the upward extending portion and the fluid distribution zone, and the upward extending portion has at least one through-hole penetrating through the flexible substrate to expose the manifold, and a cover extending portion linking with the upward extending portion and covering a portion of the fluid distribution zone.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: A separator for separating a gas/liquid mixture for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) comprises a closed channel with at least one channel section whose wall completely or partially consists of a hydrophobic, gas-permeable membrane, in which the cross-sectional area of the channel decreases continuously or in steps from an inlet opening to an outlet opening and sections of the channel wall not constituted of the membrane are defined by a one-piece machined body.

Abstract: A conductive and tabular separator is inserted into the gap between the fuel electrode layer of an i-th power generating cell and the oxidizer electrode layer of an (i+l)-th power generating cell adjacent to the fuel electrode layer. A fuel supply passage is so formed on one face of each of these separators that a fuel gas flows radially from almost the center of the fuel electrode layer to its edge. An oxidizer supply passage is so formed on the other face that an oxidizer gas outgoes almost uniformly in a shower toward the oxidizer polar layer. Thus, all of the surfaces of the power generating cells contribute to power generation to increase the frequency of collision between the fuel gas and the fuel electrode layer and that between the oxidizer gas and the oxidizer electrode layer, and to improve the generation efficiency.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate assembly may include a first manifold, a second manifold, and at least one fluid flow channel coupled between the first manifold and the second manifold. The first manifold has a fluid inlet for receiving an incoming fluid and extends along a first direction to provide a channel for transporting the incoming fluid partially along the first direction. The first manifold has at least one distribution outlet in at least a portion of a sidewall region of the first manifold and releases at least one portion of the incoming fluid as a released fluid through the at least one distribution outlet. The second manifold has a fluid outlet for discharging a discharged fluid, the discharged fluid comprising at least one portion of the incoming fluid and extends along a second direction to provide a channel for transporting the discharged fluid partially along the second direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly, two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, a fluid flow plate assembly. The fluid flow plate assembly may include a first manifold, a second manifold, and a fluid flow channel. The membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions. The two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The two current collectors respectively coupled with the two gas diffusion layers, and the two sealing members respectively coupled with the two current collectors.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more PTC ceramic heaters that do not need to be self-regulated, and thus will not require various control components, such as temperature sensors. The PTC ceramic heaters include a ceramic material that is designed for a particular temperature depending on the particular application. An electrical current is applied to the ceramic heater that generates heat as long as the temperature of the ceramic heater is below the designed temperature. If the ceramic heater reaches the designed temperature, then the resistance of the ceramic material goes up, and the current through the ceramic material goes down, so that the heater does not provide significant heating. Therefore, it does not need to be regulated.

Abstract: A fuel cell that includes specially configured bipolar plates that separate the reactant gas flow field in an active area of the fuel cell into a primary flow channels and a secondary channels. In one embodiment, the primary flow channels are in use over the entire operating range of the fuel cell and the secondary flow channels are only in use at high cell current outputs. At low power demands, the primary channels operate at a voltage below 0.8 volts and provides a gas current density of more than 0.2 A/cm2. The secondary flow channels have no gas supply and operate at mass transport limited conditions. Because of this design, voltage cycling is significantly reduced or eliminated, thus increasing the life of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, constructed as an integrated stack comprising a laminate, produced by stacking a plurality of cells between two end plates, and a fuel supply device for supplying fuel to the fuel cell. In this fuel cell system, a plurality of individual fuel supply ports, for supplying fuel independently from the fuel supply device to each of the plurality of cells, are formed on the end plates, thus forming individual fuel supply channels that deliver fuel from the plurality of individual fuel supply ports to the fuel electrodes of the corresponding cells, respectively. This fuel cell system is compact, and enables equal supply of a predetermined quantity of fuel to each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for fuel cells includes a plurality of flow paths in which fuel flows. The flow paths include a first flow path formed by a plurality of flow channels and a second flow path formed by a plurality of islands. A direct liquid fuel cell stack comprises the bipolar plate.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell having an electrically conductive polymer coated on at least one region of a surface of the plate in contact with a flow field. The coated region is hydrophobic or hydrophilic as compared to an uncoated region of the surface to prevent liquid accumulation. Electroconductive polymer coatings are applied by electrochemical polymerization.

Abstract: A stamped bipolar plate of a fuel cell stack includes a first stamped plate half having a first reactant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first reactant header region. A second stamped plate half has a first coolant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first set of coolant feed channels that extend at least partially across the first reactant header region.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell device includes porous plates. Electrode assemblies (24) are adjacent the porous plates (22). Partially porous plates (26) are adjacent the electrode assemblies (24) on an opposite side from the porous plates (22). The porous plates have coolant channels (32) that are configured to carry a liquid coolant. The partially porous plates have flow field channels (40) on one side that are configured to permit a fluid in the flow field channels to contact the corresponding immediately adjacent electrode assembly (24). An opposite side of the partially porous plates have a non-porous surface (42) that is configured to isolate the partially porous plate from any liquid in the coolant channels (32) of an adjacent one of the porous plates (22). Any liquid in the partially porous plate is exclusively from a reaction at the corresponding immediately adjacent electrode assembly.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly. A hydrophobic gas diffusion layer is on a first side of the electrode assembly. A first, solid, non-porous plate is adjacent the hydrophobic gas diffusion layer. A hydrophilic gas diffusion layer is on a second side of the electrode assembly. A second flow field plate is adjacent the hydrophilic gas diffusion layer. The second flow field plate has a porous portion facing the hydrophilic gas diffusion layer. The porous portion is configured to absorb liquid water from the electrode assembly when the fuel assembly device is shutdown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel cells and components used within a fuel cell. Heat transfer appendages are described that improve fuel cell thermal management. Each heat transfer appendage is arranged on an external portion of a bi-polar plate and permits conductive heat transfer between inner portions of the bi-polar plate and outer portions of the bi-polar plate proximate to the appendage. The heat transfer appendage may be used for heating or cooling inner portions of a fuel cell stack. Improved thermal management provided by cooling the heat transfer appendages also permits new channel field designs that distribute the reactant gases to a membrane electrode assembly. Flow buffers are described that improve delivery of reactant gases and removal of reaction products. Single plate bi-polar plates may also include staggered channel designs that reduce the thickness of the single plate.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing a hydrogen feed for a fuel cell to optimize flow of hydrogen through the fuel cell, wherein a pressure drop through parallel feed channels and active area channels of the fuel cell is balanced.

Abstract: A fluid conduit for use in an electrochemical cell, the fluid conduit comprising a support comprising an elastically deformable material and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough defining a mesh through which fluid communication can be maintained and a peripheral sealing area; a flow plate positioned adjacent the support, the flow plate including an inlet and an outlet; and a separator positioned adjacent the support. The support, flow plate, and separator are sealingly engaged with one another and cooperate to define a plurality of flow paths in fluid communication with and extending axially between the inlet and the outlet. The support, flow plate, and separator can be comprised of a metallic material coated with an electrically conductive joining compound for providing sealing engagement and electrically conductive communication therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell, especially a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM fuel cell) or an electrolysis cell which displays improved efficiency as a result of improved temperature or moisture distribution and/or reactant distribution inside said cell. The invention is characterized in that in an electrochemical cell, comprising a channel structure for feeding, circulating and discharging fluids necessary for the operation of said cell, at least one element (4, 7, 8, 9-14, 22, 23, 29, 40, 48, 49) modifying the flow cross-section is integrated into at least one channel (2, 15, 26, 27, 37) of the channel structure for automatic control of at least one fluid flow (5, 24, 33, 34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell in which at least one fluid fuel is transported from a fuel reservoir via a fluid distribution structure to a membrane electrode assembly, the transport of the fuel being effected passively, i.e. without convection. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding direct oxidation fuel cell.