Wicking structures for water and /or fuel management in fuel cells

Water recovery in direct liquid fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells, is accomplished by incorporating a wicking structure composed of a wicking material, which may be a composite material, adjacent to the cathode. The wicking material has a free rise wick height of at least one half its longest dimension. The wicking materials may be selected from foams, matted fibers, bundled fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers. In one embodiment, holes or perforations are formed through the thickness of the sheet, and a conductive layer is adjacent to, adhered to or coated on at least one surface of the wicking material. To recycle water, a second wicking structure of wicking material is incorporated adjacent to the anode, and a liquid flow path is provided between the first and second wicking structures. The absorbed water flows through the liquid flow path, is mixed with fuel and introduced to the second wicking structure adjacent to the anode.