NOVELTY - A direct liquid fuel cell comprises a membrane arranged on a side of the anode which faces the fuel chamber. The membrane is structured and arranged to allow gas which is formed on or in the vicinity of a surface of the anode which faces the fuel chamber to accumulate adjacent the anode at least to a point where the accumulated gas prevents a direct contact between the anode and the liquid fuel when liquid fuel is present in the fuel chamber.    USE - For use with a liquid fuel (claimed) for portable devices, e.g. laptops, cell phones.    ADVANTAGE - The fuel cell prevents the fuel from decomposing while the direct liquid fuel cell is under no load.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A direct liquid fuel cell for use with a liquid fuel that is prone to undergo decomposition with generation of a gas comprises a cathode (4); an anode (3); an electrolyte chamber (5) arranged between the cathode and the anode; a fuel chamber (2) arranged on a side of the anode which is opposite to a side which faces the electrolyte chamber; and a membrane (8) arranged on a side of the anode which faces the fuel chamber. The membrane is structured and arranged to allow gas which is formed on or in the vicinity of a surface of the anode which faces the fuel chamber to accumulate adjacent the anode at least to a point where the accumulated gas prevents a direct contact between the anode and the liquid fuel when liquid fuel is present in the fuel chamber.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of reducing or preventing fuel decomposition at an anode of a direct liquid fuel cell comprising forming a gas during an initial decomposition of the fuel in the fuel cell, wherein the gas restricts or prevents contact between the fuel and the anode.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows cross-section of a fuel cell.    Container body (1)    Fuel chamber (2)    Anode (3)    Cathode (4)    Electrolyte chamber (5)    Frame seal (6)    Capillary needle (7)    Membrane (8)    Spacer material (9)