Patent ID: 8304142

Claim:
A fuel cell comprising: an electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer sandwiching the electrolyte membrane; a fuel chamber storing fuel directly supplied to the anode catalyst layer; and current collectors which are respectively in contact with the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, and each of which is formed of a flat conductive sheet in which a plurality of pores are provided to extend through each current collector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction, wherein a part or the entirety of each current collector is embedded in the respective anode catalyst layer or cathode catalyst layer, and wherein the sides of each current collector defining the pores are tapered with respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction of the catalyst layer in which the current collector is embedded, the tapered sides comprising lateral faces of the current collector that protrude with respect to upper and lower faces of the current collector.