FUEL CELLS FOR USE IN PORTABLE DEVICES

摘要

A fuel activation assembly comprising a substrate (140) with a plurality of apertures (142) for securely attaching a plurality of membrane electreode assembly (MEA) segments (110). Each MEA segment (110) has a proton exchange membrane (PEM) sandwiched between two electrodes to allow protons produced in one fuel compartment to migrate to the other fuel compartment through the aperture. If the fuel cell becomes non-functioning due to the damage in the fuel activation assembly, it is possible to replace only the defective MEA segments. With a number of MEA segments, the electrodes on the two sides of the PEM can be selectively connected in series, in parallel or in a combination thereof.