Patent ID: 7625649

Claim:
A fuel cell comprising: a) an anode portion including: i) an anode ii) an anode chamber; iii) an evaporation pad disposed in the anode chamber, the evaporation pad adapted and configured to cause fuel to evaporate into the anode chamber; and iv) a fuel pathway adapted and configured to transport fuel from a fuel source to the evaporation pad; b) an electrolyte membrane having a first portion operably coupled with the anode; and c) a cathode operably coupled to a second portion of the electrolyte membrane; and d) a heater in thermal communication with the evaporation pad, the heater adapted and configured to raise the temperature of the evaporation pad to facilitate the evaporation of fuel into the anode chamber, wherein the heater and evaporation pad are in thermal communication by way of at least one heat pipe.