US Patent 8003274 Direct liquid fuel cell

A direct liquid fuel cell is disclosed and wherein the fuel cell includes an anode fluid diffusion layer positioned adjacent to the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly, and which consists of, at least in part, a porous electrically conductive ceramic material which is substantially devoid of predetermined fluid passageways. A source of an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution is coupled in direct fluid flowing relation relative to the anode fluid diffusion layer, and the anode fluid diffusion layer substantially evenly distributes the aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution across the active area surface of the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly.