NOVELTY - Reservoir structure (20,30) is installed adjacent to anode (16) or cathode (18) of liquid fuel cell, and comprises a sheet of wicking material (22,32). The liquid wicks into the sheet and is metered inside the sheet. The free rise wick height of the wicking material is greater than at least one half of its longest dimension.    USE - For recovering water and metering liquid fuel in direct liquid fuel cells (claimed) such as direct methanol fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE - The reservoir structure efficiently and effectively wicks water away from the cathode, and the reaction continues without flooding caused by water emitted by the fuel cell. The absorbed water is recycled and mixed with source of liquid fuel, and the reservoir structure wetted with the recycled water and fuel helps both to distribute the fuel and to keep the polymer electrolyte membrane hydrated. The performance of the liquid fuel cell is improved by incorporating the reservoir structure.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a liquid fuel cell in which the cell has the reservoir structure, solid polymer electrolyte membrane (14), cathode supplied with gaseous oxidant stream, anode supplied with liquid fuel stream comprising fuel (29) mixed with water, and backing layers provided for anode and cathode. The liquid fuel is directly oxidized at the anode; and    (2) a water recovery system which has the reservoir structure, liquid flow path (48) in communication with the structure (20) through which absorbed water from structure (30) flows away, and pump (49) to draw absorbed water from reservoir structure (30) into liquid flow path.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the side elevation of direct liquid fuel cell.    solid polymer electrolyte membrane (14)    anode (16)    cathode (18)    reservoir structure (20,30)    sheet of wicking material (22,32)    channel (28,40)    liquid fuel (29)    current circuit (44)    liquid flowpath (48)    pump (49)