Patent ID: 7238440

Claim:
A fuel cell comprising: (i) an anode configured and arranged for electro-oxidizing an anode reductant; (ii) a cathode configured and arranged for electro-reducing a cathode oxidant; and (iii) an electrolyte in solution contained within a single compartment; wherein the anode and cathode are spaced apart and reside in the single compartment containing the electrolyte; and wherein the electrolyte, reductant and oxidant freely communicate with the anode and the cathode; wherein the cathode comprises a porous current collector comprising an electrical conducting material in contact with a multitude of domains, each domain containing: a) a redox catalyst; and b) an electron transport mediator; wherein the redox catalyst and electron transport mediator are in fluid association with each other within the domain and wherein the redox catalyst and the electron transport mediator are bounded in the domain by the porous current collector and a containment material, and wherein said containment material is a film comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of: silica, titania, alumina, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, fluoropolymers, polyelectrolytes, organosubstituted silica, silicones, organosubstituted titania and organo metal oxides.