TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell further comprises a spacer material (9) arranged between the membrane and the anode. The spacer material comprises wattled net including openings of 1-50 mm.The fuel cell further comprises a frame seal (6) arranged on a surface of the anode which faces the membrane. 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. It comprises a small diameter tube including a capillary needle (7). The membrane and the anode are arranged in parallel. The membrane and the spacer material form an integral structure.Preferred Dimensions: The mesh has a thickness of 0.03-0.3 mm. The spacer material has 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 tube has an inner diameter up to 2 (preferably up to 1) mm and a length of up to 20 (preferably up to 10) 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.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The spacer material comprises a layer of hydrophobic material, preferably an olefin homopolymer and/or an olefin copolymer. The hydrophobic material comprises polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polytetrafluoroethylene. The frame seal comprises a single layer of hydrophobic material, preferably an olefinic polymer. The olefinic polymer comprises a fluorinated polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene.