TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The membrane may comprise a carbon/graphite material or a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The membrane is in contact with the surface of the anode which faces the fuel chamber. It is attached and/or bonded to the surface of the anode. The fuel cell further comprises a free space and/or a spacer structure arranged between the membrane and the anode. The spacer structure includes spacer material (9) comprising wattled net including openings of 1-50 mm. The spacer structure comprises a frame seal (6) arranged on the surface of the anode which faces the fuel chamber. The fuel cell further comprises a pressure relief device arranged to allow the gas to escape from a space between the anode and the membrane. The pressure relief device is arranged to allow the gas to escape into the fuel chamber. The membrane and the spacer structure form an integral structure. Preferred Dimensions: The spacer structure comprises a layer of spacer material having a thickness of 0.1-3 (preferably 0.5-1.5) mm. The frame seal has a thickness of up to 0.1 (preferably 0.02-0.05) mm. The first membrane comprises a polymer mesh or porous polymer layer having a thickness of 0.02-2 mm and a cell size of 0.01-0.1 mm or a pore size of 0.01 microns to 0.1 mm; or a stainless steel mesh having a thickness of 0.01-5 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The gas comprises hydrogen. The fuel comprises a metal hydride compound and/or a metal borohydride compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The membrane comprises a single layer of hydrophilic material including metal and/or metal alloy. The membrane may comprise a stainless steel micromesh including cells having a size of up to 0.5 (preferably 0.05-0.06) mm. The small diameter tube comprises a stainless steel tube. The membrane may comprise a sintered metal material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The spacer material comprises a hydrophobic material, preferably an olefin homopolymer, an olefin copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, or polysulfone. The hydrophobic material comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and/or ABS. The frame seal comprises a hydrophobic material, preferably a fluorinated polymer. The membrane may comprise a polymer mesh and/or a porous polymer layer. It may comprise a foam material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Materials: The membrane may comprise a non-woven material, a composite material, a laminate material, a composite/laminate material, a porous paper material, or a cloth material.