NOVELTY - A membrane electrode assembly comprises a protonically conductive and electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte having an anode and a cathode, an anode catalyst, a cathode catalyst and a hydrophobic microporous layer, a cathode backing layer and an anode diffusion layer connected to the anode catalyst.    USE - For direct oxidation fuel cells useful in smaller mobile devices e.g. mobile phones, handheld and laptop computers.    ADVANTAGE - The assembly exhibits predetermined water repelling characteristics that allows controlled dosing of 100% methanol to anode. It also allows sufficient water to be present at the anode to result in completion of anode process at the electrolyte without recovering water from the cell cathode and without using recirculation and pumping mechanisms. The passively directing liquid water back to the anode prevents cell dehydration and cathode flooding and thus ensures stable cell performance in the wide range of environmental temperatures and humidity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a direct oxidation fuel cell comprising:    (A) a membrane electrolyte intimately interfacing with a catalyst layer along each of membrane's major surfaces, being a catalyzed membrane electrolyte, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect;    (B) an anode catalyst disposed in contact with an anode aspect of the protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte;    (C) a cathode catalyst suitable for oxygen electroreduction reactions disposed in contact with a cathode aspect of the protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte;    (D) a hydrophobic cathode backing layer that drives water produced in the reactions across the protonically conductive membrane electrolyte towards the anode aspect, the cathode backing layer being disposed generally adjacent the cathode catalyst of the membrane electrolyte;    (E) an anode diffusion layer that is contact with the anode catalyst on membrane electrolyte; and    (F) a load coupled across said fuel cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows an enlarged schematic illustration of the catalyzed membrane electrode assembly.    membrane electrolyte (204)    anode (206)    cathode (208)    cathode catalyst (209)    cathode backing (250)