Patent ID: 7572536

Claim:
A fuel cell, comprising: at least one electrode; an electrolyte in electrochemical contact with the at least one electrode; and a needle connected at one end to the fuel cell, the needle comprising: a hollow member adapted to receive fuel, the hollow member being in fluid communication with the fuel cell; and at least one inlet pore defined in the hollow member; wherein the at least one electrode is adapted to receive fuel from the hollow member; and wherein the needle is adapted to enter a fuel cartridge, including: a housing defining an enclosed space and having an open end, wherein the housing includes: a first chamber adapted to contain fuel; a second chamber adapted to receive gaseous fuel, the second chamber being separated from the first chamber by a chamber-separating septum adapted to receive the needle, the chamber-separating septum being permeable to the gaseous fuel; and a septum covering the open end, wherein the septum covering the open end is adapted to receive the needle.