TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode is within an anode enclosure (18). The fluid fuel is flowable within the anode enclosure. The cathode is within a cathode enclosure (20). The fluid oxidant is flowable within the cathode enclosure. The electrolyte is an ion exchange membrane or a proton exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane is impermeable to the fuel stream. The direct organic fuel cell is capable of generating a power density of greater than or equal to150, preferably greater than or equal to270 mW/cm2 when operating at 21degreesC. It is capable of generating an open circuit voltage of greater than or equal to0.8 V. The anode catalyst promotes reaction of the formic acid via a direct path that diminishes formation of a carbon monoxide intermediate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is porous silicon, ruthenium oxide, or acid electrolytes. The anode catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 15 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 7.5 nm; palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 10 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 5 nm; palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 6 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 3 nm; or palladium nanoparticles with a surface area of greater than or equal to5, preferably greater than or equal to23 or greater than or equal to40 m2/g. The oxidant comprises air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluid fuel comprises greater than or equal to3M formic acid. It contains formic acid (21-100 (preferably 25-65) or 50-70 (preferably 20-40) wt.%), and water (greater than or equal to30 wt.%). The proton exchange membrane comprises a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is porous silicon, ruthenium oxide, or acid electrolytes. The anode catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 15 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 7.5 nm; palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 10 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 5 nm; palladium nanoparticles having at least one of a diameter of less than 6 nm and a radius of curvature of less than 3 nm; or palladium nanoparticles with a surface area of greater than or equal to5, preferably greater than or equal to23 or greater than or equal to40 m2/g. The oxidant comprises air.