Patent ID: 6972160
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell, comprising (a) a tubular polymer electrolyte membrane having an inner side and an outer side, with a fuel electrode provided on the inner side of the membrane, and with an air electrode provided on the outer side of the membrane, (b) at least one of the fuel electrode and the air electrode consists essentially of carbon fibers having surface on which a catalyst is loaded, (c) the remaining electrode consists essentially of a catalyst, wherein said fuel cell is hollow or has a cavity where methanol is introduced as a fuel to be supplied to the fuel electrode without passing through any reformer; and the hollow fuel cell or fuel cell cavity has a diameter in the range of from 0.2 to 10 mm, an outer diameter of the cell is in the range of 0.5 to 12 mm, and a length of the cell is in the range of from 20 to 500 mm, whereby an output power is obtained by virtue of the methanol fuel supplied into the hollow fuel cell or fuel cell cavity.