Direct methanol fuel cell with pressure recycling device

Improvements to non-acid fuel methanol fuel cells (10) include new formulations for the materials used therein. The anode (14) includes platinum and rithenium uniformly mixed together. Other materials may be substituted for these metals. The cathode (16) is made of platinum particles, and is bonded to a side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (18). The backing material for the fuel electrode is treated to improve its characteristics. An extremely porous electrode made by sputtering is also disclosed.