Patent ID: 7348081

Claim:
A membrane electrode assembly for use in an associated direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: (A) a cathode portion comprising a cathode catalyst that is suitable for oxygen electro-reduction reactions; (B) an anode portion comprising an anode catalyst and an anode diffusion layer that is in contact with the anode catalyst layer; (C) a protonically-conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane (PCM) having an impermeable outer peripheral area that has been rendered substantially impermeable to liquid, wherein the PCM has a first side in contact with the anode catalyst and a second side in contact with the cathode catalyst; (D) wherein the anode catalyst is of a larger dimension than the anode diffusion layer and said anode catalyst and said anode diffusion layer are both of a larger dimension than the PCM having the impermeable outer peripheral area.