NOVELTY - A direct organic fuel cell (10) comprises a liquid fuel solution containing at least10 wt.% formic acid; an anode (12) contained in an anode enclosure (18), and containing the liquid fuel solution; a cathode (16) electrically linked to the anode and contained in a cathode enclosure (20) containing an oxidizer; and an electrolyte (14) separating the anode from the cathode.    USE - Used as hydrogen fuel cell (claimed) for battery replacement, mini and microelectronics or portable electronic devices such as sensors, communication devices, and control devices, car engines, and power plants.    ADVANTAGE - The anode is configured to promote the direct decomposition of an organic fuel, without the formation of a carbon monoxide intermediate. Formic acid facilitates good proton transport within the anode enclosure; and enjoys very low diffusion and drag crossover rates across the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, resulting in reduction or elimination of fuel crossover through the electrolyte membrane. The invention has a high theoretical open circuit potential or emf of 1.45 V. Because a formic acid fuel cell running with a high fuel concentration is not subject to the water management issues of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), bulky and complicated water management systems that include pumps and sensors, are not required. Thus, a formic acid fuel cell may be provided in a more compact size than DMFC. It has an open cell voltage of 0.2 V higher than DMFC, so the power management is easier.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of making an organic fuel cell anode catalyst including preparing a suspension of platinum nanoparticles; and spontaneously depositing discrete formations of a metal onto the platinum nanoparticles, by exposing the suspension to an ionic metallic solution containing the self standing metal catalyst powder, the formations being between 0.3-3 nm thick.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a schematic of a fuel cell.    Direct organic fuel cell (10)    Anode (12)    Electrolyte (14)    Cathode (16)    Anode enclosure (18)    Cathode enclosure (20)