Patent ID: 7282293

Claim:
A membrane electrode assembly for use in an associated direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: (A) a protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect; (B) an anode catalyst disposed in contact with said anode aspect of the protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte; (C) a cathode catalyst that is suitable for oxygen electro-reduction reactions being disposed in contact with said cathode aspect of the protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte; (D) a hydrophobic cathode element having a cathode filter being a layer of expanded PTFE disposed on said cathode catalyst for effectively confining and redirecting water produced in said reactions across the protonically-conductive membrane for complete anodic oxidation, without any external supply or external redirection of water; and (E) an anode diffusion layer that is in contact with the anode catalyst on membrane electrolyte.