fuel and fuel cartridge for use in a fuel cell, method for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, direct oxidizing fuel cell system, and, device for fueling a fuel cell system

摘要

"FUEL AND FUEL CARTRIDGE FOR USE IN A FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR SUPPLYING A FUEL CELL, DIRECT FUEL CELL FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FUELLY FUELY FUEL CELL SYSTEM. The present invention provides a gel fuel which includes a combustible substance maintained in a polymeric structure. One embodiment of the composition includes pure methanol, to which a thickening substance, such as that sold commercially under the trademark Carbopol sym, is added to impart viscosity as well as stabilization and suspension properties. In addition to the thickening substance, another substance may be added to balance the pH of the gel fuel when required. According to the invention, a fuel cell cartridge is provided which has at least one aspect which is permeable to methanol and which may include a vapor vapor permeable layer and may be comprised of one of several alternative materials. Aspects inside the fuel cartridge can be used to increase the surface area of the gel fuel and to keep the gel fuel in a desired location within the cartridge.