NOVELTY - The polymer electrolyte fuel cell (10) comprises sequential lamination of cation exchange membrane (12) having catalyst layer (13) and water-repellent conductive layer (11), electroconductive porous material (15) and separator (16). An elastic sheet (14) is arranged in periphery of layer (11) and has aperture between periphery of layer (13) and layer (11) and periphery portion of cation exchange membrane and separator.    USE - As solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - The polymer electrolyte fuel cell has excellent output characteristics and durability, without deterioration of catalyst metal and electrode. Avoids direct contact of the reaction gas with the cation exchange membrane, by formation of the catalyst layer.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The polymer electrolyte fuel cell (10) comprises sequential lamination of a cation exchange membrane (12) having a catalyst layer (13) containing carbon powder, cation exchange resin and catalyst metal, and a water-repellent conductive layer (11) containing carbon material and fluororesin, an electroconductive porous material (15) and a separator (16). An elastic sheet (14) is arranged in the periphery of the water-repellent conductive layer and has an aperture between the periphery of the catalyst layer and water-repellent conductive layer and periphery portion of the cation exchange membrane and separator. The periphery of the cation exchange membrane is set inward of the periphery of water-repellent conductive layer. The catalyst layer is laminated with the cation-exchange membrane, water-repellent conductive layer and elastic sheet, when the inner surface of the aperture exists inward of the periphery of the catalyst layer. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for manufacture of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the cross-section of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.    polymer electrolyte fuel cell (10)    water-repellent conductive layer (11)    cation exchange membrane (12)    catalyst layer (13)    elastic sheet (14)    electroconductive porous material (15)    separator (16)