Abstract:
Fuel cell system including a fuel cell assembly having an anode and a cathode. A fuel/electrolyte module includes a liquid fuel and/or a liquid electrolyte and/or components of the liquid fuel and/or the liquid electrolyte. A housing arrangement houses the fuel cell assembly and the fuel/electrolyte module. A system is used for transferring at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. A method is also disclosed of generating electrical power using a power system including at least one fuel cell unit having a fuel cell assembly and a fuel/electrolyte module arranged within a housing arrangement. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/819,542 filed Jun. 28, 2007, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional Application No. 60/817,068 filed Jun. 29, 2006, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a direct liquid fuel cell system which is particularly suitable for use with a hydride and/or borohydride based liquid fuel. 
         [0004]    The invention is also directed to a fuel cell system with an integrally arranged cartridge or fuel/electrolyte storage system which can activate the fuel cell. The fuel cell can be fueled, e.g., manually or automatically, by pressing portions of the fuel cell system towards one another. 
         [0005]    2. Discussion of Background Information 
         [0006]    Liquid fuel cells produce electricity by oxidizing a liquid fuel at an anode of the fuel cell and at the same time reducing an oxidant such as, e.g., oxygen at a cathode. The anode and the cathode are in contact through an electrolyte which may be a liquid, a gel, etc. As the fuel cell produces electricity, the liquid fuel and the electrolyte are gradually exhausted of their useful components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides fuel cell systems and methods of generating electrical power as recited in the appended claims. 
         [0008]    The fuel cell systems of the present invention preferably include one or more of the technologies (fuel cells, fuel compositions, electrodes, electrolytes, cartridges, gas elimination devices, devices for preventing fuel decomposition, etc.) which are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,554,877, 6,758,871 and 7,004,207 and pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/757,849 (US2005/0155279 A1), 10/758,081 (US2005/0155668 A1), 10/634,806 (US2005/0058882 A1), 10/758,080 (US2005/0158609 A1), 10/803,900 (US2005/0206342 A1), 10/824,443 (US2005/0233190 A1), 10/796,305 (US2004/0241521 A1), 10/849,503 (US2005/0260481 A1), 11/132,203 (US2006/0047983 A1), 10/959,763 (US2006/0078783 A1), 10/941,020 (US2006/0057435 A1), 11/226,222 (US2006/0057437 A1), US2002/0076602 A1, US2002/0142196 A1, US2003/0099876 A1, 11/325,466, 11/325,326, 11/384,364, 11/452,199, 11/384,365, 11/475,063, 11/476,571, 11/476,568, 11/668,761, 11/684,328 and 11/684,497. The entire disclosures of all of these patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0009]    The invention is also directed to a fuel cell system for portable devices (such as, e.g., cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs, Blackberrys, etc.). 
         [0010]    The invention also relates to a cartridge system that activates the fuel cell system. By pressing together the cartridge and the fuel cell assembly, the power supply system can be fueled, i.e., activated, and made ready to generate power. 
         [0011]    Alternative non-limiting methods for activating the fuel cell system can include the following: removing a safety tape member which acts to separate one portion of the fuel cell system from another portion of the fuel cell system and then squeezing the portions towards one another in a user&#39;s hand. This results in the transfer of contents from, for example, a cartridge such as a fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell; and removing a safety separator member which acts to separate one housing part of the fuel cell from another housing part of the fuel cell and then squeezing the housings towards one another in a user&#39;s hand. This results in the transfer of contents from the cartridge to the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0012]    The cartridge or fuel/electrolyte module can contain a fuel concentrate, a liquid diluent for the fuel concentrate (preferably comprising water) and a liquid electrolyte. By way of non-limiting example, the fuel cell system can utilize fuels of the type disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/758,081. 
         [0013]    The invention also contemplates that, once the fuel is depleted, the entire fuel cell assembly can be replaced with a new one. That is, the fuel cell system can be a single fueling (single use) system. 
         [0014]    The fuel cell system can be a generally rectangular system module or can be a generally cylindrical system. Furthermore, the fuel cell system can utilize a single cell configuration, a double cell configuration, or even a multiple cell configuration. 
         [0015]    According to one aspect of the invention, the cartridge (system) (the terms “cartridge”, “cartridge system” and “fuel/electrolyte module” are used interchangeably herein) can have the following characteristics: the fuel can be stored in the cartridge as a concentrate (e.g., paste) and a liquid diluent (solvent), analogous to the configurations disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/824,443 and 10/758,081. The cartridge can also include a (liquid or gel) electrolyte or a component thereof. 
         [0016]    According to one aspect of the invention, the fuel cell system can also have the following characteristic: a power management system utilizing a current chipset which can be restructured to optimally handle more than one cell. 
         [0017]    The fuel/electrolyte module may preferably be divided into at least two separate chambers (sections); one chamber contains fuel concentrate (e.g., a paste-like, relatively high viscosity mass), and another chamber contains liquid diluent for the concentrate which in combination with the concentrate affords the desired fuel. A third chamber can be provided in the fuel/electrolyte module for storing an electrolyte (for example, an aqueous solution comprising one or more inorganic hydroxides such as, e.g., LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , Ba(OH) 2 , Zn(OH) 2 , and Al(OH) 3 , usually at least NaOH and/or KOH). Each chamber preferably has a sealable opening and/or an opening which can be accessed to allow the transfer of the contents of the cartridge into the appropriate or corresponding chambers in the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0018]    The liquid fuel or concentrate thereof may comprise a hydride compound such as, e.g., one or more of LiH, NaH, KH, CaH 2 , BeH 2 , MgH 2 , NaAlH 4 , LiAlH 4  and KAliH 4  and/or a borohydride compound. For example, the liquid fuel may comprise one or more borohydride compounds. The one or more borohydride compounds may be selected from, e.g., NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , NH 4 BH 4 , Be(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , Zn(BH 4 ) 2 , Al(BH 4 ) 3 , polyborohydrides, (CH 3 ) 3 NBH 3 , and NaCNBH 3 . Further, the liquid fuel may comprise one or more borohydride compounds in a total concentration of at least about 0.5 mole per liter of concentrate, e.g., at least about 1 mole, at least about 2 moles, or at least about 3 moles per liter of concentrate. 
         [0019]    The liquid diluent for the concentrate may, for example, comprise one or more of water, (cyclo)aliphatic alcohols having up to about 6 carbon atoms and up to about 6 hydroxy groups, C 2-4  alkylene glycols, di(C 2-4  alkylene glycols), poly(C 2-4  alkylene glycols), mono-C 1-4 -alkyl ethers of C 2-4  alkylene glycols, di(C 2-4  alkylene glycols) and poly(C 2-4  alkylene glycols), di-C 1-4 -alkyl ethers of C 2-4  alkylene glycols, di(C 2-4  alkylene glycols) and poly(C 2-4  alkylene glycols), ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers, ethoxylated aliphatic polyols, propoxylated aliphatic polyols, ethoxylated and propoxylated aliphatic polyols, aliphatic ethers having up to about 6 carbon atoms, aliphatic ketones having up to about 6 carbon atoms, aliphatic aldehydes having up to about 6 carbon atoms, C 1-4 -alkyl esters of C 1-4  alkanoic (aliphatic) acids and primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines having a total of up to about 10 carbon atoms, for example, at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dioxan, tetrahydrofuran, diglyme, triglyme, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine and tripropanolamine). An optional third chamber can be provided in the cartridge for storing liquid electrolyte. Each chamber may have a sealable opening and/or an opening which can be accessed to allow the transfer of the contents of the cartridge into the appropriate corresponding chambers in the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0020]    A number of non-limiting options for storing the components in the cartridge chambers may utilize any combination of the following features: one or more of the chambers can be a flexible housing containing a upper seal tab and a punctureable sealing member; one or more of the chambers can have the form of a bag containing one of the components; one or more of the chambers can be a flexible or deformable housing which houses a puncturing device and one of the components which will be transferred to either a fuel chamber or an electrolyte chamber of the fuel cell assembly; one or more of the chambers can be a non-rigid, “concertina” housing that can be compressed vertically with any one of the above-noted options. 
         [0021]    The components of the fuel cell system of the present invention will preferably be produced primarily from lightweight, low-cost materials. Due to cost considerations, the components will preferably be made of polymer materials which are capable of withstanding (prolonged) exposure to the chemicals contained in the cartridge and/or the fuel cell assembly. Preferred examples of polymer materials include, but are not limited to (optionally filled) plastic materials such as PVC, PP, ABS, polycarbonate, polyurethane, etc. In practice, substantially all components (other than those with specific mechanical requirements, if any) are preferably made from such polymer materials. Of course, other materials can be used as well, such as, e.g., metals or alloys thereof (e.g., aluminum, chromium, nickel, titanium, copper, steel, brass, etc.). It also is possible, for example, to use polymer materials for some components or parts of the system and other materials such as, e.g. metals or alloys thereof, for other parts or components of the system. 
         [0022]    Non-limiting ways of activating the fuel cell assembly can include manually pressing together the fuel/electrolyte module and the fuel cell assembly. The contents of the fuel/electrolyte module can then be caused and/or allowed to transfer from the module chambers to the proper chambers of the fuel cell assembly. This can occur using sealed connection ports to provide the required interface between the fuel/electrolyte module and the fuel cell assembly. Preferably, no valves are used and instead a puncturable sealing tab is utilized that, when punctured, allows the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to directly transfer into the proper chambers of the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0023]    The cartridge chambers can have the form of a one-piece three-chamber flexible material housing member which is connected to a cover having three ports. Each port is sealed with a puncturable seal tab. Each of the chambers includes a puncturing member which is moved to puncture the sealing tab when the chamber is deformed by a certain amount. Each puncturing member can have a sharp puncturing component such that when a portion of the puncturing member is caused to pivot to a certain extent, the sealing tab is punctured by the puncturing tip. 
         [0024]    By way of non-limiting example, the puncturing tip can be V-shaped or have the form of a dagger. 
         [0025]    The mixing of the fuel components (concentrate and diluent) can be performed immediately before use, e.g., immediately after transfer from the cartridge to the fuel cell assembly. This mixing process can, for example, be performed during the transfer process by puncturing both the seal tabs that divide the concentrate from its diluent. Gravitational force can also be utilized to permit the contents, e.g., fuel concentrate, diluent and electrolyte, to enter the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the arrangement is such that movement of the cartridge and the fuel cell assembly towards each other causes the sharp points of the puncturing devices to puncture the seal tabs and to release substantially simultaneously the entire contents of the cartridge chambers into the appropriate chambers of the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0027]    The movement towards each other of the cartridge and the fuel cell assembly can be accomplished in a controlled manner by a sliding engagement between outer surfaces of one housing part slidably engaging inner surfaces of another housing part. When fully connected together, a shoulder or edge of one of the housing parts contacts a shoulder or edge of another housing part. 
         [0028]    One way in which the movement can occur is by the user removing a safety member and then squeezing together, within his/her hand, two housing parts of the fuel cell system. 
         [0029]    The invention also provides for a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly comprising an anode and a cathode, a fuel/electrolyte module comprising fuel and/or electrolyte and/or components thereof, a housing arrangement housing the fuel cell assembly and the fuel/electrolyte module, and a system for transferring at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0030]    The fuel cell system may be at least one of a stand-alone unit, a modular unit, and a portable unit. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers each having a sealed opening. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a fuel concentrate chamber, an electrolyte chamber, and a diluent chamber. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise flexible material chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate variable volume chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate flexible chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience a compressive force. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience deformation forces. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience an internal volume reduction. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of moving from a first position to a second position which causes puncturing of a sealing member. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable cap. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall dividing a chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module from a port of the fuel/electrolyte module. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall dividing each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module from each port of the fuel/electrolyte module. 
         [0031]    The fuel cell assembly may comprise an anode frame assembly and a cathode frame assembly. The fuel cell assembly may comprise substantially empty chambers which are capable of receiving fuel and/or electrolyte and/or components thereof when the system for transferring at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly causes transferring. The fuel cell assembly may comprise a plurality of separate substantially empty chambers. The fuel cell assembly may comprise a fuel chamber and an electrolyte chamber. The system for transferring at least some of the fuel components of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly may comprise the housing arrangement. The housing arrangement may comprise first and second housing parts which move towards each other during activation of the system for transferring. The housing arrangement may comprise first and second housing parts which slide relative to each other during activation of the system for transferring. The system for transferring may be capable of causing movement of puncturing members. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause puncturing members to puncture sealing members. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause movement of puncturing members arranged within chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause compression of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause volume reduction of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause deformation of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system for transferring may be capable of forcing at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. The system for transferring may be capable of forcing at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module arranged in separate chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module into appropriate chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The system for transferring may be capable of forcing at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module arranged in three separate chambers of the module into two chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The housing arrangement may comprise a first housing part and a second housing part wherein the first housing part comprises outer surfaces which slidably engage inner surfaces of the second housing part. The fuel cell assembly may comprise a least one fuel chamber and at least one electrolyte chamber. 
         [0032]    The system may further comprise at least one device for puncturing a puncturable separating wall and/or at least one puncturable cap. The housing arrangement may be generally rectangular. The system may further comprise a system for coupling each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module to an appropriate chamber in the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a system for delivering, feeding, or conveying the fuel components of each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module to an appropriate chamber in the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a plurality of ports and receiving openings which are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0033]    The invention also provides for a method of generating electrical power using a fuel cell system of the type described herein, wherein the method comprises at least one of: subjecting the housing arrangement to compression to cause at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly; gripping and squeezing the housing arrangement to cause at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly; and moving two portions of the housing arrangement relative to each other to cause at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0034]    The method may further comprise, before transfer, storing the fuel and/or fuel components and/or the electrolyte and/or electrolyte components in the fuel/electrolyte module. The method may further comprise, before transfer, storing the fuel, electrolyte and/or components thereof only in the fuel/electrolyte module. The method may further comprise, before transfer, storing the fuel, electrolyte and/or components thereof in separate chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The method may further comprise, before transfer, storing the fuel, electrolyte and/or components thereof only in separate chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting the fuel/electrolyte module and the fuel cell assembly. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting ports of the fuel/electrolyte module to chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting sealed ports of the fuel/electrolyte module to chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, puncturing sealing members of the fuel/electrolyte module. The method may further comprise, immediately before the transfer, puncturing sealing members of each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module. The transfer may occur only after sealing members are punctured. The method may further comprise removing a safety member acting to prevent the transfer. The method may further comprise removing a safety member acting to prevent relative movement of portions of the housing arrangement. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting at least one port of the fuel/electrolyte module to at least one port opening of the fuel cell assembly. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting a plurality of ports of the fuel/electrolyte module to a plurality of port openings of the fuel cell assembly. The method may further comprise, before the transfer, connecting in a sealing manner a plurality of ports of the fuel/electrolyte module to a plurality of port openings of the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0035]    The invention also provides for a fuel cell system comprising a housing arrangement, a fuel cell assembly comprising an anode and a cathode, a fuel/electrolyte module comprising fuel, electrolyte and/or components thereof, and a device that, in a first position, prevents transfer of at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module into the fuel cell assembly and that, in a second position, allows transfer of at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module into the fuel cell assembly, wherein the fuel cell assembly and the fuel/electrolyte module are arranged within the housing arrangement. 
         [0036]    The fuel cell system may be at least one of a stand-alone unit, a modular unit, and a portable unit. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers each having a sealed opening. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a fuel concentrate chamber, an electrolyte chamber, and a liquid diluent chamber. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise flexible material chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate variable volume chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate flexible chambers and a plurality of ports, each port being in fluid communication with one of the separate chambers. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience compressive forces. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience deformation forces. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of puncturing a sealing member when the chambers experience internal volume reduction. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise a plurality of separate sealed chambers and a plurality of puncturing members, each puncturing member being capable of moving from a first position to a second position which causes puncturing of a sealing member. 
         [0037]    The fuel cell assembly may comprise an anode frame assembly and a cathode frame assembly. The fuel cell assembly may comprise a plurality of separate substantially empty chambers. The fuel cell assembly may comprise a fuel chamber and an electrolyte chamber. The housing arrangement may comprise a system for transferring at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. The housing arrangement may comprise first and second housing parts which move towards each other. The housing arrangement may comprise first and second housing parts which slide relative to each other. 
         [0038]    The system may further comprise a system for transferring the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system is capable of causing movement of puncturing members. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause the puncturing members to puncture sealing members. The system for transferring may comprise opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause movement of the puncturing members arranged within chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. 
         [0039]    The system may further comprise a system for transferring at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system comprises opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause compression of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system may further comprise a system for transferring the fuel components from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system comprises opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause a volume reduction of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system may further comprise a system for transferring the fuel components from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system comprises opposing surfaces which, when moved towards each other, cause a deformation of chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system may further comprise a system for transferring the fuel components from the fuel/electrolyte module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system is capable of forcing at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a system for transferring at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein said system is capable of forcing the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module arranged in separate chambers of the module into appropriate chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a system for transferring the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module from the module to the fuel cell assembly, wherein the system is capable of forcing at least a part of the contents arranged in three separate chambers of the fuel/electrolyte module into two (empty) chambers of the fuel cell assembly. The housing arrangement may comprise a first housing part and a second housing part, and wherein the first housing part comprises outer surfaces which slidably engage inner surfaces of the second housing part. 
         [0040]    The fuel cell assembly may comprise a least one fuel chamber and at least one electrolyte chamber. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable cap. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall dividing a chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module from a port of the fuel/electrolyte module. The fuel/electrolyte module may comprise at least one puncturable separating wall dividing each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module from each port of the fuel/electrolyte module. The system may further comprise at least one device for puncturing a puncturable separating wall and/or at least one puncturable cap. 
         [0041]    The housing arrangement may be generally rectangular. The system may further comprise a system for coupling each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module to an appropriate chamber in the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a system for delivering, feeding and/or conveying at least a part of the contents of each chamber of the fuel/electrolyte module to an appropriate chamber in the fuel cell assembly. The system may further comprise a plurality of ports and receiving openings which are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0042]    The invention also provides for a method of generating electrical power using the system described herein, wherein the method comprises at least one of subjecting the housing arrangement to compression to cause at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the module to the fuel cell assembly, gripping and squeezing the housing arrangement to cause at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the module to the fuel cell assembly, and moving two portions of the housing arrangement relative to each other to cause at least some of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module to transfer from the module to the fuel cell assembly. 
         [0043]    The invention is also directed to a handy and disposable charger/portable auxiliary power source for small, portable electronic devices, based on a Direct Liquid Fuel cell (DLFC). Preferably, the device can utilize multiple connectors to start recharging or continue powering the battery in a device such as, e.g., a cell phone or a laptop, in seconds, giving continuous use—all the way through to a full charge. 
         [0044]    The invention is preferably also capable of providing extended operating time for devices such as mobile phones up to, e.g., 30 hours talk time, 60-80 hours use time for certain iPods, and many hours of use for various other mobile devices. 
         [0045]    Additionally, the invention is preferably capable of immediate use while charging, safe to use (not flammable, not toxic), environmentally friendly, i.e., it utilizes no mercury or other environmentally harmful metals, has a convenient size and is lightweight, is cost effective, and can bridge the power gap for 3G &amp; 4G cell phones with a full range of functionality, dual mode phones for WiFi and Voice Over Internet (VoIP), smart phones (iMate etc.), camera phones, iPods &amp; MP3s, Game Boys, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Blackberries, digital cameras, RAZR and a broad array of military applications. 
         [0046]    Until now, most traditional fuel cells for portable electronic devices have used methanol as their fuel in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ((DMFCs) and a solid, Proton Exchange Membrane or PEM. The DMFC generally uses expensive noble metals in its electrodes, with the PEM requiring add-on support systems such as water management and forced air systems or reformer. The invention, on the other hand, does not require surplus systems and can be made with reduced overall costs associated with DMFCs and eliminating PEM systems. 
         [0047]    Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0048]    The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0049]      FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a fuel cell system which includes a fuel cell, a cartridge, and a system for activating the fuel cell; 
           [0050]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the activating system tab member removed. The fuel cell is shown ready to be activated by moving the cover and base towards each other; 
           [0053]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating how the tab member is broken apart by pulling on the pull-tab; 
           [0054]      FIG. 6  shows the fuel cell of  FIG. 4  after it is activated by moving the cover and base towards each other; 
           [0055]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the fuel cell shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 8  shows a partially exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and illustrates the cover, the module and bladder system, the removable tab, the bladder divider, the base, and the label; 
           [0057]      FIG. 9  shows a top perspective view of the cover used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 9   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom perspective view of the cover used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 10   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 10   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 10   c  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 11  shows a top side perspective view of the inner plate used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 11   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 12  shows a bottom side perspective view of the inner plate (with a section thereof missing) used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 12   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 12   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 12   c  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 13  shows a partially exploded view of the cover and inner plate prior to the inner plate being assembled to the cover; 
           [0070]      FIG. 14  shows the inner plate assembled to the cover; 
           [0071]      FIG. 15  shows a bottom side perspective view of the base used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 16  shows a top side perspective view of the base shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 16   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 16   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 17  shows a top side perspective view of the tab member used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 17   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of the tab member shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0078]      FIG. 19  shows a bottom side perspective view of the tab member shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0079]      FIG. 20  shows a top side perspective view of the module and bladder system used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . An absorbent member is shown positioned between the module and bladder system; 
           [0080]      FIG. 21  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 20  and shows the module, the bladder system, and the absorbent member positioned between the module and bladder system; 
           [0081]      FIG. 22  shows a top side perspective view of the module used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0082]      FIG. 23  shows a top side perspective view of the module shown in  FIG. 22  with the circuit board in an uninstalled position; 
           [0083]      FIG. 24  shows a top rear side perspective view of the module shown in  FIG. 22  with the circuit board removed; 
           [0084]      FIG. 25  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 24  and shows an upper portion of the module separated from a lower portion of the module. The upper portion includes the top frame, the cathode frame and the anode frame and the lower portion includes the extension frame and the bottom frame; 
           [0085]      FIG. 26  shows a top rear side perspective view of the upper portion of the module shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0086]      FIG. 27  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 26  and shows the top frame and the cathode frame arranged above and separated from the anode frame; 
           [0087]      FIG. 28  shows a bottom rear side perspective view of the upper portion of the module shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0088]      FIG. 29  shows the upper portion of  FIG. 28  with an anode regulating mesh member arranged above and separated from the top portion; 
           [0089]      FIG. 30  shows a top view of  FIG. 29  with the anode regulating mesh member secured to and within a bottom main recess of the anode frame via welding; 
           [0090]      FIG. 31  shows a top view of the anode regulating mesh member used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0091]      FIG. 32  shows a top rear side perspective view of an upper portion shown in  FIG. 27  and including the top frame and the cathode frame; 
           [0092]      FIG. 33  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 32  and shows the top frame arranged above and separated from the cathode frame; 
           [0093]      FIG. 34  shows a top side perspective view of the lower portion shown in  FIG. 25  and including the extension frame and the bottom frame; 
           [0094]      FIG. 35  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 34  and shows the extension frame arranged above and separated from the bottom frame; 
           [0095]      FIG. 36  shows a top side perspective view of the top frame assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0096]      FIG. 37  shows a bottom side perspective view of the top frame assembly shown in  FIG. 36 ; 
           [0097]      FIG. 38  shows a top side perspective view of the top frame shown in  FIG. 36  prior to the formation of a rib structure formed by overmolding; 
           [0098]      FIG. 39  shows a bottom side perspective view of the top frame shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0099]      FIG. 40  shows a top side perspective view of the top frame shown in  FIG. 38  prior to the installation of the vent membrane members; 
           [0100]      FIG. 41  shows a bottom side perspective view of the top frame shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0101]      FIG. 42  shows a top side perspective view of the cathode frame assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0102]      FIG. 43  shows a bottom side perspective view of the cathode frame assembly shown in  FIG. 42 ; 
           [0103]      FIG. 44  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 45  and shows the cathode assembly arranged above and separated from the cathode frame; 
           [0104]      FIG. 45  shows a bottom side perspective view of the cathode assembly assembled to the cathode frame and prior to the formation of a securing encapsulating material; 
           [0105]      FIG. 46  shows a top side perspective view of the cathode used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0106]      FIG. 47  shows a top side perspective view of the cathode electrode used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0107]      FIG. 48  shows a top side perspective view of the anode frame assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0108]      FIG. 48   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0109]      FIG. 49  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 50  and shows the anode assembly arranged above and separated from the anode frame; 
           [0110]      FIG. 50  shows a top side perspective view of the anode assembly assembled to the anode frame and prior to the formation of a securing encapsulating material; 
           [0111]      FIG. 51  shows a top side perspective view of the anode frame used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0112]      FIG. 51   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 51 ; 
           [0113]      FIG. 52  shows a bottom side perspective view of the anode frame shown in  FIG. 51 ; 
           [0114]      FIG. 52   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 52 ; 
           [0115]      FIG. 52   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 52 ; 
           [0116]      FIG. 53  shows a top side perspective view of the anode assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0117]      FIG. 53   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 53 ; 
           [0118]      FIG. 54  shows a top view of the anode assembly shown in  FIG. 53 ; 
           [0119]      FIG. 55  shows a side view of the anode assembly shown in  FIG. 53 ; 
           [0120]      FIG. 55   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 55 ; 
           [0121]      FIG. 56  shows a top side perspective view of the anode used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0122]      FIG. 57  shows a top side perspective view of the anode electrode used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0123]      FIG. 58  shows a top side perspective view of the extension frame used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0124]      FIG. 59  shows a bottom side perspective view of the extension frame shown in  FIG. 58 ; 
           [0125]      FIG. 60  shows a top side perspective view of the bottom frame assembly used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0126]      FIG. 61  shows a bottom side perspective view of the bottom frame assembly shown in  FIG. 60 ; 
           [0127]      FIG. 62  shows a top side perspective view of the bottom frame shown in  FIG. 60  prior to the formation of a rib structure formed by overmolding; 
           [0128]      FIG. 63  shows a bottom side perspective view of the bottom frame shown in  FIG. 62 ; 
           [0129]      FIG. 64  shows a top side perspective view of the bladder system used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0130]      FIG. 65  shows a top view of the bladder system shown in  FIG. 65  and illustrates the fill openings are sealed with welded on sealing members; 
           [0131]      FIG. 66  shows a bottom view of the bladder system shown in  FIG. 64  and illustrates how the bladder member is welded onto the bladder plate; 
           [0132]      FIG. 67  shows a top view of the bladder plate used in bladder system shown  FIG. 64  prior to installation of the inlet opening sealing members; 
           [0133]      FIG. 68  shows a cross-section view of  FIG. 67 ; 
           [0134]      FIG. 69  shows a top perspective view of the bladder member used in bladder system shown in  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0135]      FIG. 70  shows a bottom perspective view of the bladder member shown in  FIG. 69 ; 
           [0136]      FIG. 71  shows a bottom view of the bladder plate used in the bladder system shown  FIG. 64  and illustrates the weld areas of the exit opening seal members; 
           [0137]      FIG. 72  shows a bottom view of the bladder plate used in the bladder system shown  FIG. 64  and illustrates how the exit opening seal members are formed; 
           [0138]      FIG. 73  shows a cross-section view of  FIG. 72 ; 
           [0139]      FIG. 74  shows a bottom perspective view of the bladder plate of  FIG. 71  with the puncturing devices installed; 
           [0140]      FIG. 75  shows an end view of  FIG. 74 ; 
           [0141]      FIG. 75   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 75 ; 
           [0142]      FIG. 76  shows a bottom view of the bladder plate of  FIG. 74 ; 
           [0143]      FIG. 76   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 76 ; 
           [0144]      FIG. 76   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 76   a;    
           [0145]      FIG. 77  shows a bottom perspective view of one of the outer nipple members used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0146]      FIG. 78  shows a top perspective view of  FIG. 77 ; 
           [0147]      FIG. 79  shows a top side perspective view of one of the puncturing devices used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0148]      FIG. 80  shows a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 79 ; 
           [0149]      FIG. 81  shows another top side perspective view of one of the puncturing devices used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0150]      FIG. 81   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 81 ; 
           [0151]      FIG. 81   b  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 81 ; 
           [0152]      FIG. 82  shows an end side perspective view of one of the puncturing devices used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0153]      FIG. 82   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 82 ; 
           [0154]      FIG. 83  shows a top view of the absorbent member used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0155]      FIG. 84  shows an end view of the absorbent member shown in  FIG. 83 ; 
           [0156]      FIG. 84   a  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 84 ; 
           [0157]      FIG. 85  shows a top perspective view of the absorbent member used on the bladder system of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0158]      FIG. 86  shows a top view of the circuit board used on the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0159]      FIG. 87  shows an end view of  FIG. 86 ; 
           [0160]      FIG. 88  shows a bottom view of  FIG. 86 ; and 
           [0161]      FIG. 89  shows a top perspective view of the circuit board shown in  FIG. 86 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0162]    The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
         [0163]    According to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, there is provided a handy and disposable charger/portable auxiliary power source for small, portable electronic devices, based on a Direct Liquid Fuel cell (DLFC). The device can utilize multiple connectors to start recharging or continue powering the battery in a device such as, e.g., a cell phone or a laptop, in seconds, giving continuous use—all the way through to a full charge. 
         [0164]    The invention is also directed to a device that is capable of providing extended operating time for devices such as mobile phones up to, e.g., 30 hours talk time, 60-80 hours use time for certain iPods, and many hours of use for various other mobile devices. 
         [0165]    The invention is also directed to a device that is capable of immediate use while charging, is safe to use (not flammable, not toxic), is environmentally friendly, i.e., it utilizes no mercury or other environmentally harmful metals, has a convenient size and is lightweight, is cost effective, and can bridge the power gap for 3G &amp; 4G cell phones with a full range of functionality, dual mode phones for WiFi and Voice Over Internet (VoIP), smart phones (iMate etc.), camera phones, iPods &amp; MP3s, Game Boys, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Blackberries, digital cameras, RAZR and a broad array of military applications. 
         [0166]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , there is shown one non-limiting embodiments of a fuel cell device  1  whose main components include a cover  10 , a base  30 , a removable tab  40 , a fuel cell module  60  and bladder system  50 , a bladed divider  3 , and an instruction label  2 . The details of these devices as well as the functioning of the device  1  will be described in detail below. 
         [0167]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cover  10  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape defined by a top outwardly curved wall  13  having a connector opening  11  (see  FIG. 9   a ) and a venting arrangement  12 . The venting arrangement  12  includes a plurality of vent openings or slots. The cover  10  also includes four outwardly curved sidewalls  14 - 17 . The oppositely arranged shorter sidewalls  14  and  15  are front and rear sidewalls whereas the longer sidewalls  16  and  17  are left and right side sidewalls. Within the cover  10 , each inside corner includes two curved projections which together form a circular projection  18  (see  FIG. 10   c ). The four corner projections  18  are sized and configured to slidably engage with four correspondingly shaped recesses  37  formed in the base  30  (see  FIG. 16   b ). The two longer side walls  16  and  17  each include two curved projections  19  that curve away from each other and which form a guide rail  19  (see  FIG. 10 ). The two oppositely arranged guide rails  19  are sized and configured to slidably engage with two oppositely arranged guide recesses  38  formed in the base  30  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The sliding engagement of the guide recesses  37  and recesses  38  with the guide projections  18  and guide rails  19  function to provide a smooth and guided sliding movement of the cover  10  relative to the base  30 . As will be described below, this movement occurs once the removable tab  40  is removed and the fuel cell  1  is activated. The bottom surface of the top wall  13  includes two locating projections LP (see  FIG. 10   b ) which are sized and configured to engage with recesses  28  and  29  formed in an inner plate  20  (see  FIG. 11 ). A stop projection SP (see  FIG. 10   a ) is arranged to stop or limit inward movement of an electrical connector which will be inserted into the opening  11 . Once the inner plate  20  is properly positioned against the bottom surface of the top wall  13  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 ), the inner plate  20  is secured to the bottom surface of the top wall  13  by e.g., ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding. The material for the cover  10  can be, e.g., an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length, width and height sizes for the cover  10  can be, e.g., a length of about 100 mm, a width of about 70 mm and a height of 35 mm. 
         [0168]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the inner plate  20  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape defined by a top wall  21  having a main recess  22  and a venting arrangement  23  which generally corresponds in shape to the venting arrangement  12  of the cover  10 . The venting arrangement  23  includes a plurality of vent openings or slots. The main recess  22  is sized and configured to allow the contact support  810  and the four contacts  801 - 804  of the circuit board  800  (see  FIG. 87 ) to extend up therethrough so that a connector inserted in the connector opening  11  will make proper electrical contact with the contacts  801 - 804 . The inner plate  20  also includes four perimeter locking arrangements  24 - 27  which are configured to lock with four locking projections  528 - 531  arranged on the top frame  500  (see  FIGS. 36-37 ). When the four locking arrangements  24 - 27  are locked with the four locking projections  528 - 531  and when the inner plate  20  is fixed to the cover  10  (see  FIG. 14 ), the module  60  becomes secured or fixed (e.g., non-removably secured) to the cover  10 . The inner plate  20  also preferably includes an arrangement of twelve shallow projections SHP (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) which are sized and configured to extend into the vent membrane recesses (defined by the vent membrane members  503 - 508  and the member  521 ) of the top frame  500  and contact the vent membranes  503 - 508 . The material for the inner plate  20  can be, e.g., an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) copolymer. 
         [0169]    With reference to  FIGS. 15-16 , the base  30  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape defined by a bottom generally planar wall  31  having two support projections  32 . The base  30  also includes four outwardly curved sidewalls  33 - 36 . The oppositely arranged shorter sidewalls  33  and  34  are front and rear sidewalls whereas the longer sidewalls  35  and  36  are left and right side sidewalls. Each outside corner includes a curved recess  37  (see  FIG. 16   b ). The four corner recesses  37  are sized and configured to slidably engage with four correspondingly shaped projections  18  formed in the cover  10  (see  FIG. 10   c ). The two longer side walls  35  and  36  each include a dovetail shaped recess  38  which is sized and configured to slidably engage with two oppositely arranged guide rails  19  formed on the cover  10  (see  FIG. 10 ). As explained above, the sliding engagement of the guide recesses  37  and  38  with the guide projections  18  and guide rails  19  functions to provide a smooth and guided sliding movement of the cover  10  relative to the base  30  once the removable tab  40  is removed and the fuel cell is activated. The front and back walls  33  and  34  each include two locking arrangements  39  (see  FIG. 16   a ) which are sized and configured to engage with two locking projections  532 - 535  arranged on the top frame  500  (see  FIGS. 36 and 37 ). When the four locking arrangements  39  are locked with the four locking projections  532 - 535  (which occurs when the cover  10  and base  30  are moved towards each other during activation of the fuel cell  1 ), the module  60  (as well as the cover  10 ) becomes locked, secured or fixed (e.g., non-removably secured) to the base  30 . A bottom flange BF extends around a perimeter of the base  30  and serves to support the bottom edge of the tab member  40 . The material for the base  30  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length, width and height sizes for the cover base can be, e.g., a length of about 100 mm, a width of about 70 mm and a height of about 35 mm. 
         [0170]    With reference to  FIGS. 17-19 , the removable tab  40  functions as a safety lock in that while it is installed on the fuel cell  1  it prevents activation of the fuel cell  1 , i.e., it functions to prevent the cover  10  from moving relative to the base  30  which, in turn, ensures that the liquids stored in the bladder system  50  are prevented from passing into the chambers associated with the anode  301  and cathode  401 . The removable tab  40  has a pull tab portion  41  which can be gripped by a user&#39;s fingers such that when the portion  41  is pulled away from the fuel cell  1 , the removable tab  40  is caused to break apart (see  FIG. 5 ) at a predetermined weakened portion  42  (see  FIG. 17   a ). Once broken and removed, the removable tab  40  can be discarded. The user can then move or squeeze the cover  10  and the base  30  towards each other (compare  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) which activates the fuel cell  1  as follows: this movement causes compression of the bladder cells  1001 - 1003  of the bladder system  50  (see  FIG. 64 ). This, in turn, causes the puncturing devices  70  (see  FIGS. 74-76 ) to puncture the respective membrane seals  901 - 903  (see  FIG. 71 ). Further movement of the cover  10  towards the base  30  causes further compression of the bladder cells  1001 - 1003  which causes or forces the liquids stored in the bladder system  50  to pass into the chambers associated with the anode  301  and cathode  401 . Once this movement of the cover  10  and the base  30  reaches a maximum point, the cover  10  and the base  30  become locked together (via members  24 - 27 ,  39 , and  528 - 535 ) and the fuel cell  1  is irreversibly activated. The locking of the cover  10  and the base  30  also prevents the user from opening the fuel cell  1  and provides a visual indication that the fuel cell  1  is in an activated mode. 
         [0171]    As is apparent from  FIGS. 17-19 , the removable tab  40  has a strip-like configuration formed into a generally rectangular shape. Each corner of the tab  40  has a projection  43  which is e.g., generally circular, and which slidably engages with a correspondingly shaped recess  37  formed in the base  30  (see  FIG. 16   b ) and is slid onto the base  30  prior to assembling together the cover  10  and the base  30 . The projections  43  and the upper and lower edges of the tab  40  engage with edges/surfaces of the cover  10  and the base  30  and function to prevent movement of the cover  10  and the base  30  towards each other. By way of non-limiting example, the tab  40  can be a one-piece member injection molded member made of, e.g., LDPE (Low Density PolyEthylene). 
         [0172]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the fuel cell system arranged within the container formed by the cover  10  and base  30  includes a module  60  and a bladder system  50  which are connected together (with an absorbent member  4  sandwiched therebetween) prior to being installed within the cover  10  and the base  30 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 22-35 , the module  60  is a sub-assembly made of six main components. These are the back or bottom frame  100 , the extension frame  200 , the anode frame  300 , the cathode frame  400 , the front or top frame  500 , and the circuit board  800 . After the frame members  100 - 500  are welded together, the circuit board  800  is staked to the front frame  500  by staking the three projections  520 - 522  (see  FIG. 22 ). Then, the upper ends of the anode electrode  80  and the cathode electrode  90  are soldered to the contacts  805  and  806 . 
         [0173]    The module  60  and the bladder system  50  are assembled together to form the assembly shown in  FIGS. 20-21  by first placing the absorbent member  4  over the nipple members  913 - 915  (see  FIG. 64 ) until it rests on the upper surface of the bladder plate  900  (see  FIG. 65 ). Then, the module  60  and the bladder system  50  are brought together until the o-rings  919 - 921  (see  FIG. 64 ) make sealing contact with the surfaces  105 - 107  (see  FIG. 60 ) and until the locking members  111  and  112  (see  FIG. 61 ) become locked to the recesses  922  and  923  (see  FIG. 68 ) of the nipple members  913  and  915  (see  FIG. 67 ,  77 ,  78 ). 
         [0174]      FIG. 24  shows a top rear side perspective view of the module  60  shown in  FIG. 22  with the circuit board removed and shows the upper frame  500  secured to the cathode frame  400 , the cathode frame  400  secured to the upper frame  500  and the anode frame  300 , the anode frame  300  secured to the cathode frame  400  and the extension frame  200 , the extension frame  200  secured to the anode frame  300  and the back frame  100 .  FIG. 25  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 24  and shows an upper portion of the module  60 , i.e., front frame  500 , cathode frame  400  and anode frame  300 , separated from a lower portion of the module  60 , i.e., extension frame  200  and back frame  100 . 
         [0175]      FIG. 26  shows a top rear side perspective view of the upper portion of the module  60  shown in  FIG. 25  and illustrates the front frame  500 , the cathode frame  400  and the anode frame  300  connected together.  FIG. 27  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 26  and shows the top frame  500  and the cathode frame  400  arranged above and separated from the anode frame  300 . 
         [0176]      FIG. 28  shows a bottom rear side perspective view of the upper portion of the module  60  shown in  FIG. 25  and illustrates the top frame  500 , the cathode frame  400 , and the anode frame  300 .  FIG. 29  shows the upper portion of  FIG. 28  with an anode regulating mesh member  700  (in this regard, see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,020) arranged above and separated from the top portion.  FIG. 30  shows a top view of  FIG. 29  with the anode regulating mesh member  70  secured to and within a bottom main recess of the anode frame via welding.  FIG. 31  shows a top view of the anode regulating mesh member  700  used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0177]    The anode regulating mesh member  700  has the form of a wire mesh cloth and is sized to fit within the main bottom recess of the anode frame  300  (see  FIGS. 29 and 30 ) and is therefore arranged between the extension frame  200  and the anode frame  300 . As is shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the mesh member  700  has a rectangular shape is secured to the main bottom recess of the anode frame  300 . By way of non-limiting example, the mesh member  700  can be a plain weave wire mesh cloth which utilize generally square openings which have an opening size of about 50 μm. The wire diameter can be, e.g., about 0.04 mm. The mesh  700  can also be made of, e.g., stainless steel such as, e.g., 316L stainless steel. The mesh member  700  can also have an open area of, e.g., about 30%. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the mesh member  700  can be, e.g., a length L of about 60 mm and a width W of about 40 mm, or e.g., a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 40 mm. 
         [0178]      FIG. 32  shows a top rear side perspective view of an upper portion shown in  FIG. 27  and including the top frame  500  and the cathode frame  400 .  FIG. 33  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 32  and shows the top frame  500  arranged above and separated from the cathode frame  400 . 
         [0179]      FIG. 34  shows a top side perspective view of the lower portion shown in  FIG. 25  and including the extension frame  200  and the bottom frame  100 .  FIG. 35  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 34  and shows the extension frame  200  arranged above and separated from the bottom frame  100 . 
         [0180]    With reference to  FIGS. 36-41 , the top or front frame  500  is a sub-assembly made of three main components. One component is a one-piece synthetic resin frame member  501  having a generally rectangular shape and including a main perforated area  502 . Another component comprises six one-piece vent membrane members  503 - 508  which are arranged to seal twelve perimeter openings  509 - 520  in the frame  501 . The vent membrane members  503 - 508  can be of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/758,080, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. The vent membrane members  503 - 508  can be secured to the openings  509 - 520  by, e.g., welding their perimeter areas to the openings of the frame member  501 . The frame  501  and the vent membrane members  503 - 508  are then subjected to overmolding in order to form the third component which has the form of rib structure  521 . The rib structure  521  and the frame  501  trap the vent membrane members  503 - 508  and define twelve vent membrane perimeter passages in the front frame  500 . 
         [0181]    The front frame  500  also includes locating pins or projections  522  and  523  which are configured to extend into correspondingly positioned locating recesses  409  and  410  of the cathode frame  400  (see  FIG. 42 ) and a patterned securing rib  524  which will form a welding seam for sealingly connecting together the front frame  500  and the cathode frame  400 . The securing rib  524  has the form of a continuous projection which defines eight enclosed perimeter areas. These areas will receive fluids from the bladder system  50  after the fluids pass through the perimeter openings of the cathode frame  400 . The front frame  500  also includes three circuit board connecting and positioning projections  525 - 527  which are configured to extend into three recesses  807 - 809  of the circuit board  800  (see  FIGS. 86-88 ). The top frame  500  also utilizes oppositely arranged guide projections  532 - 535  which are sized and configured to slidably engage with and lock to correspondingly positioned recesses within lock members  39  of the base member  30  (see  FIG. 15 ). Four oppositely arranged projections  528 - 531  are configured to lock to the four lock members  24 - 27  of the inner plate  20  (see  FIG. 11 ). The material for the frame member  501  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the front or top frame  500  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 55 mm. 
         [0182]    With reference to  FIGS. 42-47 , the cathode frame  400  is a sub-assembly made of five main components. One component is a one-piece synthetic resin frame member  402  having a generally rectangular shape and a main opening grid area  403 . Another component is a cathode member  401  which is described in detail below. Still other components include a cathode pin  90  connected to a current collector  405  which is electrically connected to the cathode  401  (see  FIG. 44 ). The cathode  401  is secured to a main lower recess  404  of the cathode frame  402  using an encapsulating resin material via, e.g., an over-molding or insert molding process, which forms another component  406  of the anode frame assembly  400 . In this regard, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/452,199 may, for example, be referred to. 
         [0183]    The cathode frame assembly  400  also includes locating recesses  407  and  408  which are configured to receive therein correspondingly positioned locating pins  309  and  310  of the anode frame  300  (see  FIG. 50 ), as well as locating recesses  409  and  410  which are configured to receive therein correspondingly positioned locating pins  522  and  523  of the top frame  500  (see  FIG. 37 ). Additionally, the cathode frame  400  also includes a cathode electrode recess  411  which is sized and configured to receive therein the cathode electrode  90 , as well as a main recess  424  sized and configured to receive therein the cathode  401  (see  FIGS. 44 and 45 ), and which receives therein a portion of the encapsulating material in order to securely retain the cathode electrode  90  and the cathode  401 . The cathode frame assembly  400  also includes twelve perimeter openings  412 - 423  which allow for the passage of a portion of the contents of the bladder system  50 . Projections  425 - 427  ensure that the cathode  401  is properly positioned in the recess  424  of the cathode frame  402 . The material for the cathode frame member  401  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the cathode frame  400  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 55 mm. 
         [0184]    With reference to  FIG. 46 , the cathode  401  has the form of a generally rectangular plate and is sized to fit within the main lower recess of the cathode frame  402 . The cathode  401  has an upper or coated side CCS and a lower active side CAS. A notch CN is arranged on one edge of the cathode  401 . The notch CN provides a location for connecting the second leg  92  of the cathode pin  90  (see  FIG. 47 ) to a current collector  405  which is electrically connected to the cathode  401 . As is shown in  FIGS. 44 and 45 , the cathode  401  is secured to the main lower recess  424  of the cathode frame  402  using an encapsulating resin material  406  via, e.g., an over-molding or insert molding process. To ensure proper positioning of the cathode  401  within the cathode frame  402 , the cathode  401  has locating openings which receive therein one or more locating pins  425 - 427  integrally formed on the cathode frame  402 . The locating pin(s)  425 - 427  can be staked or peened over after the cathode  401  is installed in the cathode frame  402  in order to secure it to the frame  402  prior to the over-molding step. By way of non-limiting example, the locating openings can be circular and have a diameter of about 2 mm. The generally uniform thickness of the cathode  401  can be, e.g., about 1 mm. The cathode  401  also preferably utilizes rounded corners which correspond in shape to the rounded corners of the main lower recess of the cathode frame  402  and can have a radius of about mm. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the cathode  401  can be, e.g., a length of about 60 mm and a width of about 35 mm. 
         [0185]    The cathode pin  90  is a conductor which conducts electricity between the cathode  401  and the circuit board  800 . As is shown in  FIG. 47 , the cathode pin  90  is a bent solid generally circular wire having a first end or leg  91  and a second end or leg  92 . The first end  91  is structured and arranged to be solder connected to the positive contact  806  of the circuit board  800 . The second end  92  is structured and arranged to be crimped and/or solder connected to a current collector  405  of the cathode  401 . The cathode pin  90  is also fixed to the cathode frame  400  by encapsulating resin material as is shown in  FIGS. 42-45 . By way of non-limiting example, the cathode pin  90  may have a wire diameter of about 1 mm. The overall length of the first leg  91  may be about 7 mm and the overall length of the second leg  92  may be about 15 mm. The cathode pin  90  can also be made of, e.g., nickel. 
         [0186]    With reference to  FIGS. 48-75 , the anode frame  300  is a sub-assembly made of five main components. One component is a one-piece synthetic resin frame member  302  having a generally rectangular shape and a generally rectangular shaped upper recess  303  (see  FIG. 51 ) and a generally rectangular shaped lower recess  304  (see  FIG. 52 ). The open area of the recess  304  is structured and arranged to receive a portion of the contents of the two chambers  1001  and  1003  (see  FIG. 66 ). Another component is an anode member  301  which is described in detail below. Still other components include an anode pin  80  to a current collector  305  which is electrically connected to the anode  301 . The anode  301  is secured to the main upper recess  303  of the anode frame  300  using an encapsulating resin material via, e.g., an over-molding or insert molding process, which forms another component  306  of the anode frame  300 . In this regard, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/452,199 may, for example, be referred to. 
         [0187]    The anode frame assembly  300  also includes locating recesses  307  and  308  (see  FIG. 52 ) which are configured to receive therein correspondingly positioned locating pins  214  and  215  of the extension frame  200  (see  FIG. 58 ). Additionally, the anode frame assembly  300  also includes locating pins or projections  309  and  310  (see  FIG. 50 ) which are configured to extend into correspondingly positioned locating recesses  407  and  408  of the cathode frame  400  (see  FIG. 44 ) and a patterned securing rib  311  (see  FIG. 48   a ) which will form a welding seam for sealingly connecting together the anode frame  300  and the cathode frame  400 . Additionally, the anode frame assembly  300  includes an anode electrode recess  312  (see  FIG. 49 ) which is sized and configured to receive therein the anode electrode  80  and also a portion of the encapsulating material  306  (see  FIG. 48   a ) in order to securely retain the anode electrode  80 . A projection  325  (see  FIG. 49 ) ensures that the anode  301  is properly positioned within the anode frame  302 . The anode frame assembly  300  also includes twelve perimeter openings  313 - 324  which allow for the passage of a portion of the contents of the bladder system  50 . The material for the anode frame member  302  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the anode frame  300  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 55 mm. 
         [0188]    With reference to  FIGS. 53-56 , the anode  301  has the form of a generally rectangular plate and is sized to fit within the main upper recess  303  of the anode frame  302 . The anode  301  has an upper or mesh side AMS and a lower active layer side AAS. A notch AN is arranged on one edge of the anode  301  (see  FIG. 56 ). The notch AN provides a location for connecting via connection AEC (e.g., via a crimp and/or soldering connection) the second leg  82  of the anode pin  80  to a current collector  305  which is electrically connected to the anode  301 . As is shown in  FIG. 48-50 , the anode  301  is secured to the main upper recess of the anode frame  302  using an encapsulating resin material  306  via, e.g., an over-molding or insert molding process. To ensure proper positioning of the anode  301  within the anode frame  302 , the anode  301  has two corner locating openings which receive therein one or more locating pins  325  integrally formed on the anode frame  302 . The locating pin(s)  325  can be staked or peened over after the anode  301  is installed in the anode frame  302  in order to secure it to the frame  302  prior to the over-molding step. By way of non-limiting example, the locating openings can be circular and have a diameter of about 2 mm. The generally uniform thickness of the anode  301  can be, e.g., about 0.3 mm. The anode  301  also preferably utilizes rounded corners which correspond in shape to the rounded corners of the main upper recess  303  of the anode frame  302  and can have a radius of about 5 mm. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the anode  301  can be, e.g., a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 40 mm. 
         [0189]    The anode pin  80  is a conductor which conducts electricity between the anode  301  and the circuit board  800 . As is shown in  FIG. 57 , the anode pin  80  is a bent solid generally circular wire having a first end or leg  81  and a second end or leg  82 . The first end  81  is structured and arranged to be solder connected to the negative contact  805  of the circuit board  800 . The second end  82  is structured and arranged to be crimped and/or solder connected to a current collector  305  of the anode  301 . The anode pin  80  is also fixed to the anode frame  302  by encapsulating resin material  306  as is shown in  FIG. 48   a . By way of non-limiting example, the anode pin  80  may have a wire diameter of about 1 mm. The overall length of the first leg  81  may be about 11 mm and the overall length of the second leg  82  may be about 15 mm. The anode pin  80  can also be made of, e.g., nickel. 
         [0190]    With reference to  FIGS. 58 and 59 , the extension frame  200  is a one-piece synthetic resin frame member having a generally rectangular shape and including a main circular recess  201  and a channel  202  allowing movement of fluid from the circular recess  201  (after entering into the recess  201  from the bladder  1002 ) to a perimeter opening  203 . The recess  201  is structured and arranged to communicate with the chamber  1002  (see  FIG. 66 ) via the opening  103  in the back frame assembly  100  (see  FIG. 61 ). The extension frame  200  also includes main open areas  204  and  205  which are sized and configured to retain or contain a portion of the contents of the chambers  1001  and  1003  (see  FIG. 66 ). The frame  200  also utilizes locating recesses  206  and  207  which are configured to receive correspondingly positioned locating pins  132  and  133  of the back frame  100  (see  FIG. 61 ). The frame  200  also utilizes locating pins or projections  214  and  215  which are configured to extend into correspondingly positioned locating recesses  307  and  308  of the anode frame assembly  300  and a patterned securing rib  208  which will form a welding seam for sealingly connecting together the extension frame  200  and the anode frame  300  (see  FIG. 52 ). A support rib  220  connects the member  221  forming the recess  201  to an opposite side of the frame  200 . The extension frame  200  also includes five perimeter openings  209 - 213  which are sized and configured to receive a portion of the contents of the bladder system  50 . The extension frame  200  further also utilizes oppositely arranged guide projections  216 - 219  which are sized and configured to slidably engage with correspondingly positioned recesses formed in members  39  of the base member  30  (see  FIG. 16   a ). The material for the extension frame  200  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the extension frame  200  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 55 mm. 
         [0191]    With reference to  FIGS. 60-63 , the bottom or back frame  100  is a sub-assembly made of three main components. One component is a one-piece synthetic resin frame member  101  having a generally rectangular shape and including three generally circular entrance openings  102 - 104 . The openings  102 - 104  are structured and arranged to respectively communicate with the three chambers  1001 - 1003  of the bladder system  50  (see  FIG. 66 ). In this regard, the openings  102 - 104  are sized and configured to respectively seal to the three nipple members  913 - 915  (see  FIG. 64 ). The sealing occurs by sealing engagement between the o-rings  919 - 921  (see  FIG. 64 ) and the circumferential sealing surfaces  105 - 107 . Proper insertion of the o-rings  919 - 921  into the openings  102 - 104  is facilitated by three tapered surfaces  108 - 110  arranged at a lower end of the circular walls  105 - 107 . A locking together of the openings  102  and  104  and the nipple members  913  and  915  occurs by engagement between locking projections  111  and  112  (see  FIG. 61 ) and circular recesses  922  and  923  of the outer nipple members  913  and  915 . The locking connection occurs automatically as the nipple members  913 - 915  move to a final position within the openings  102 - 104 . This locking preferably occurs when the bladder system  50  is assembled to the module  60  (see  FIGS. 20-21 ). 
         [0192]    Another component of the bottom or back frame  100  comprises six one-piece vent membrane members  113 - 118  which are arranged to seal the twelve perimeter openings  119 - 130  in the frame member  101 . The vent membrane members  113 - 118  can be of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/758,080, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. The vent membrane membranes  113 - 118  are secured to the openings  119 - 130  by having their perimeter areas welded to the openings in the frame member  101 . The frame member  101  and the vent membrane members are then subjected to overmolding in order to form the third component which has the form of rib structure  131 . The rib structure  131  and frame member  101  trap the vent membrane members  113 - 118  and define twelve vent membrane perimeter passages through the back frame assembly  100 . 
         [0193]    The back frame assembly  100  also includes locating pins or projections  132  and  133  which are configured to extend into correspondingly positioned locating recesses  206  and  207  of the extension frame  200  (see  FIG. 59 ) and a patterned securing rib  134  which will form a welding seam for sealingly connecting together the back frame  100  and the extension frame  200 . The back frame  100  also includes stand-off members  135  and a circumferential surface  136  sized and configured to extend into the main circular recess  201  of the extension frame  200 . The material for the frame member  101  can be, e.g., an ABS copolymer. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the back frame  100  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 55 mm. 
         [0194]    With reference to  FIGS. 64-81 , the bladder system  50  is a sub-assembly made of sixteen main components. These are a bladder member  1000 , a bladder plate  900 , three puncturing devices  70 , two outer nipples  913  and  915 , three o-rings  919 - 921 , three exit opening membrane seals  901 - 903 , and three fill opening membrane seals  910 - 912 . Assembly of the bladder system  50  can occur as follows: after the puncturing devices  70  are fixed to the bladder plate  900  by staking the projections  922 - 924  (see  FIGS. 76   a  and  76   b ), and after the seals  901 - 903  are formed (see  FIGS. 71-73 ), the bladder member  1000  is seam welded to the bladder plate  900  (see  FIG. 66 ). The o-rings  919 - 921  can be installed after the two nipples  913  and  915  are secured to the bladder plate  900 . Finally, the chambers  1001 - 1003  are filed with the liquids used by the fuel cell  1  and the fill openings  904 - 906  are closed off with the three fill opening membrane seals  910 - 912  (see  FIG. 65 ). 
         [0195]    With reference to  FIGS. 67 and 68 , the bladder plate  900  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape defined by three generally circular exit openings  904 - 906  which will respectively communicate with the three chambers  1001 - 1003  and three generally circular entrance openings  907 - 909  which will also respectively communicate with the three chambers  1001 - 1003 . The three exit openings  904 - 906  are sealed-off with three circular-shaped membrane members  901 - 903  whose perimeters are seam welded (e.g., using ultrasonic welding) to the bottom surface of the bladder plate  900  (see  FIGS. 71-73 ), and in particular, to perimeter areas of the openings  904 - 907 . The three entrance openings  907 - 909  are sealed-off with three circular-shaped membrane members  910 - 912  whose perimeters are seam welded (e.g., using ultrasonic welding) to the top surface of the bladder plate  900  (see  FIG. 65 ), and in particular, to perimeter areas of the openings  907 - 909 . However, the entrance openings  907 - 909  are only sealed off after the bladder member  1000  and the bladder plate  900  are seam welded (see  FIG. 66 ) via e.g., ultrasonic welding, to each other and after the bladder chambers  1001 - 1003  are filled with fluids via the openings  907 - 909 . In this regard, the flange  1004  of the member  1000  is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the size and shape of the bladder plate  900  to which the flange  1004  is fixed. Three nipple members  913 - 915  extend out from the upper surface of the bladder plate  900 . The nipple members  913 - 915  are respectively arranged to be in fluid communication the chambers  1001 - 1003 . Each nipple member  913 - 915  includes a circular and/or circumferential recess  916 - 918  which is sized and configured to receive an o-ring  919 - 921 . The o-rings  919 - 921  function to seal the nipple members  913 - 915  to the openings  102 - 104  in the bottom frame  100 . The outer nipple members  913  and  915  have a greater axial length than the middle nipple member  914  and also include an additional circular and/or circumferential recess  922  and  923  which is sized to receive and lockingly engage with inwardly extending projections  111  and  112  (see  FIG. 61 ). The projections  111  and  112  and recesses  922  and  923  function to non-removably lock the bladder system  50  to the module  60  thereby forming a fuel cell assembly (see  FIG. 20 ) which can be placed into the cover  10  and base  30  during final assembly. Nipple members  913  and  915  are secured to the plate  900  via a projection and recess connection and by, e.g., welding. The invention contemplates forming the three nipple members  913 - 915  individually and then securing them (via e.g., ultrasonic welding) to the upper surface of the bladder plate  900 . Preferably, the nipple members  913  and  915  are formed individually with the nipple member  914  and the bladder plate  900  being formed as a one-piece member. Then, the nipple members  913  and  915  are secured (via e.g., ultrasonic welding) to the upper surface of the bladder plate  900 . Finally, the invention also contemplates forming the three nipple members  913 - 915  and the bladder plate  900  each as a one-piece members. The material for the bladder plate  900  can be, e.g., a polyolefin such as polyethylene. The material for the nipple members  913 - 915  if made separately can be, e.g., a polyolefin. Exemplary non-limiting length, length and width sizes for the bladder plate  900  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm, a width of about 55 mm. The body portion of the bladder plate  900  can have a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm with, e.g., the center nipple member  914  extending above the upper surface by about 6 mm and with the outer nipple members  913  and  915  extending above the upper surface by about 10 mm. 
         [0196]    As explained above, the three exit openings  904 - 906  are sealed-off with three circular-shaped membrane members  901 - 903  whose perimeters are seam welded (e.g., using ultrasonic welding) to the bottom surface of the bladder plate  900 , and in particular, to perimeter areas of the openings  904 - 906 . The width of the welded circular perimeter area can be, e.g., about 1 mm. The material for the membrane members  901 - 903  can be, e.g., a polyolefin such as HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene). The three entrance or fill openings  907 - 909  are sealed-off with three circular-shaped membrane members  910 - 912  whose perimeters are seam welded (e.g., using ultrasonic welding) to the top surface of the bladder plate  900 , and in particular, to perimeter areas of the openings  907 - 909 . The width of the welded circular perimeter area of the fill openings  907 - 909  can be about 1 mm. The bottom surface of the bladder plate  900  also includes three sets of three projections  924 - 926  which extend into the openings  74  of the puncturing devices  70  (see  FIGS. 79 and 80 ). The projections  924 - 926  are preferably staked in order to fix or secure the puncturing devices  70  to the bladed plate  900  (see  FIGS. 76-76   b ). 
         [0197]    The o-rings  919 - 921  are one-piece members having a generally circular shape. As explained above, each o-ring is sized and configured to be tightly disposed within sealing recess  916 - 918  of each nipple member  913 - 915 . The o-rings function to provide sealing between the nipple members  913 - 915  and the openings  102 - 104  of the bottom frame  100 . Exemplary non-limiting diameter and thickness sizes for the o-rings  919 - 921  can be, e.g., an inside diameter of about 10 mm and a thickness of about 2 mm. 
         [0198]    With reference to  FIGS. 69 and 70 , the bladder member  1000  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape defined by three generally rectangular chambers  1001 - 1003  and a generally rectangular rim flange  1004 , and can preferably be transparent or translucent. The flange  1004  is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the size and shape of the bladder plate  900  to which the flange  1004  will be fixed by, e.g., ultrasonic welding. The width of the welded perimeter areas can, for example, be about 1 mm (see  FIG. 66 ). The two outer chambers  1001  and  1003  are essentially similar in side and shape and are sized and configured to store a liquid which will be transferred into the module  60  of the fuel cell  1  during activation of the fuel cell  1 . The center chamber  1002  is smaller than the two outer chambers  1001  and  1003  and is sized and configured to store another liquid which will be transferred into the module  60  of the fuel cell  1  during activation of the fuel cell  1 . The liquid stored in the center chamber  1002  will be transferred into the space between the anode  301  and the cathode  401  whereas the liquid stored in the outer chambers  1001  and  1003  will be transferred largely into the space between the bottom frame  100  and anode frame  300 , and which is surrounded by the extension frame  200 . The two larger chambers  1001  and  1003  can have a width of, for example, about 30 mm, a depth of about 25 mm and a length of about 50 mm. The center chamber  1002  can have a width of, for example, about 15 mm, a depth of about 20 mm and a length of about 50 mm. The wall of the bladder member  1000  forming the chambers  1001 - 1003  is flexible and is capable of being easily deflected, deformed, or wrinkled in order to allow the chambers  1001 - 1003  to reduce in volume during activation of the fuel cell  1 . This reduction in volume forces the liquids in the chambers  1001 - 1003  to be transferred into the module as described in detail herein. The material for the bladder member  1000  can be, e.g., a polyolefin such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density PolyEthylene) or LDPE (Low Density PolyEthylene). Exemplary on-limiting length, width and height sizes for the bladder member  1000  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm, a width of about 55 mm and a height of about 25 mm. The flange portion  1004  of the bladder member  1000  can have a generally uniform thickness of, e.g., about 0.5 mm and a width of about 3 mm. The wall portion of the chambers  1001 - 1003  of the bladder member  1000  can have a generally uniform thickness of, e.g., about 0.3 mm. 
         [0199]    With reference to  FIGS. 79 and 80 , three puncturing devices  70  are utilized to puncture three membranes  901 - 903  covering the three openings  904 - 906  of the bladder plate  900 . Each puncturing member  70  includes a mounting portion  71  which is configured to be fixed to a bottom surface of the bladder plate  900 , a puncturing portion  72  movably or pivotally connected to the mounting portion via a living hinge, and a lever portion  73  capable of being moved when the cover  10  and the base  30  are moved towards each other. The mounting portion  71  includes openings  74 , e.g., three openings, which are configured to receive projections or pins  924 - 926  projecting out from the bottom surface of the bladder plate  900  (see  FIG. 68 ). The pins  924 - 926  and openings  74  are used to fixedly secure the mounting portion  71  to the bladder plate  900  (as is shown in  FIGS. 74-76 ). The invention, however, contemplates connecting the mounting portion  71  to the bladder plate  900  using other mechanisms such as ultrasonic welding, bonding, etc. Furthermore, the invention also contemplates forming the puncturing devices  70  and the bladder plate  900  as a one-piece integral member. The puncturing portion  72  has the form of a ring-shape member utilizing an outwardly curved beak portion  75  whose free end has a single puncturing tooth  76  (see  FIG. 75   a ). An opening is formed in the puncturing portion  72  in order to allow the contents of a respective bladder chamber  1001 - 1003  to exit the chambers  1001 - 1003 , pass through the puncturing portions  72 , and then out through the openings  904 - 906 . The outwardly curved beak  75  functions to create by, e.g., tearing or shearing, a substantially circular opening in a respective membrane member  901 - 903  after each puncturing tooth  76  forms a puncture in a respective membrane  901 - 903 . The lever portion  73  has a free end  77  which is configured to be engaged by a respective bottom bladder wall such that when the bladder chambers  1001 - 1003  are subjected to compressive forces (as will occur when the cover  10  and base  30  are moved towards each other), the bottom walls of the bladder chambers  1001 - 1003  with deform and cause the lever portions  73  to move or pivot about the living hinge. This, in turn, causes puncturing of the membranes  901 - 903 . Further pivotal movement of the lever portions  73  causes a tearing or shearing of membranes  901 - 903 , thereby forming substantially circular openings in the membranes  901 - 903 . Since the user will typically activate the fuel cell  1  (which occurs when the cover  10  and base  30  are moved towards each other) in a matter of seconds, the initial puncturing, the tearing/shearing of the openings, and the transfer of substantially all of the fluids from the chambers  1001 - 1003  into the module  60  can occur in seconds. By way of non-limiting example, the puncturing devices  70  can be one-piece injection molded members made of e.g., an ABS copolymer. 
         [0200]    With reference to  FIGS. 83-85 , the absorbent member  4  is a multi-layered liquid absorbing member having a generally rectangular shape. The member  4  can, in particular, have two layers and is sized and configured to be loosely disposed between the top surface of the bladder plate  900  and a bottom surface of the bottom frame  100  (see  FIG. 21 ). Three openings  4   a - 4   c  are sized to receive therein the three nipple members  913 - 915  (see  FIG. 77 ). Any fluids which leak past the o-rings  919 - 921  of the nipple members  913 - 915  can be absorbed by the absorbent member  4 . Exemplary non-limiting length, width and thickness sizes for the member  4  can be, e.g., a length of about 80 mm, a width of about 55 mm and a thickness “th” of about 0.8 mm. 
         [0201]    With reference to  FIGS. 86-89 , the circuit member  800  has the form of a PCB and performs two main functions. One function is that it provides an electrical interface by ensuring that electricity is allowed to properly flow from the fuel cell  1  to a device receiving power from the fuel cell  1 . In this regard, the circuit  800  has a contact support  810  arranged on a board member  811  and including contacts  801 - 804  which are each configured to make electrical contact with corresponding contacts in the connector of the wire connecting the fuel cell  1  to a device. Proper connection of the wire connector to the circuit contacts  801 - 804  is ensured by the connector opening  11  of the cover  10 . The circuit  800  utilizes two main contacts  805  and  806  which utilize contact openings, and which function to electrically connect the circuit  800  to the anode  80  and the cathode  90  via an anode pin  80  and a cathode pin  90 . The contact  805  is connected, preferably using a solder connection, to the anode pin  80  and represents the negative input contact of the circuit  800 . The contact  806  is connected, preferably using a solder connection, to the cathode pin  90  and represents the positive input contact of the circuit  800 . The circuit board  800  also includes three locating recesses  807 - 809  sized and configured to receive therein three locating and connecting projections  520 - 522  of the front or top frame  500 . The other function of the circuit member  800  is to regulate, control and/or manage power transfer from the fuel cell  1  to a device. Non-limiting examples of such circuit devices can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/476,561 and 11/476,568, the entire disclosures whereof are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Exemplary non-limiting length and width sizes for the circuit member  800  can be, e.g., a length of about 40 mm and a width of about 10 mm. 
         [0202]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , the label  2  is a one-piece synthetic resin member having a generally rectangular shape. The label  2  is sized and configured to be adhesively attached to a bottom outer surface of the base member  30 . The label  2  can include, among other things, instructions for how to use the fuel cell, information about its contents, and proper disposal instructions. Exemplary non-limiting length, width and thickness sizes for the label  2  can be, e.g., a length of about 70 mm and a width of about 50 mm. The bladder divider  3  is a one-piece member having a generally rectangular shape. The divider  3  is sized and configured to be loosely arranged between the bottom inner surface of the base member  30  and the bottom surfaces of the chambers  1001 - 1003  of the bladder member  1000 . The divider  3  prevents the chambers  1001 - 1003  from directly contacting the bottom surface of the base  30  and prevents the chambers  1001 - 1003  from chafing. 
         [0203]    It is noted that both the fuel cell, the cartridge and the transferring system are preferably disposable and are preferably made of light-weight materials. It should also be noted that the exemplary dimensions, values, sizes, volumes, etc., disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting and may vary to a large extent such as, e.g., from 50% less to 150% more. The majority of parts of the cartridge can be made of plastic (synthetic polymer) materials which are suitable for the fuel cell environment and which can withstand contact/exposure with fuel and electrolyte from a fuel cell and/or similar chemicals. Examples of non-limiting polymer materials include PVC, PP and polyurethane, etc. 
         [0204]    By way of non-limiting example, all types of fuels, electrolytes and electrodes which are known for use with fuel cells and the like are contemplated for use by the present invention. Non-limiting examples of fuels, electrolytes and electrodes which are suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,877 B2, mentioned above, U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,497 B2, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002/0076602 A1, 2002/0142196 and 2003/0099876 A1, as well as in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/634,806. For example, all desirable liquid electrolytes (including those of very high and very low viscosity) may be utilized in each of the disclosed embodiments. Solid electrolytes may also possibly be utilized as well as ion exchange membranes. Matrix electrolytes can also be utilized such as, e.g., a porous matrix impregnated by a liquid electrolyte. Additionally, jelly-like electrolytes can also be utilized with any one or more of the disclosed embodiments. The invention also contemplates using hydrogen elimination systems in the fuel cell and/or cartridge. Non-limiting examples of fuel cell arrangements/systems with hydrogen removal (gas elimination) are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/758,080, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
         [0205]    It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.