NOVELTY - A direct liquid fuel cell comprises membrane(s) 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 to the anode at least to a point where the accumulated gas prevents a direct contact between the anode and liquid fuel from the fuel chamber.    USE - For use with a liquid fuel (claimed) for portable devices, e.g. laptops, cell phones.    ADVANTAGE - The invention 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 membrane(s) (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 to the anode at least to a point where the accumulated gas prevents a direct contact between the anode and liquid fuel from the fuel chamber. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of reducing or substantially preventing decomposition of a fuel in a direct liquid fuel cell at an anode of the fuel cell when the fuel cell is under no load comprising causing gas that is generated by an initial fuel decomposition to form a barrier that restricts or prevents further contact between the fuel and the anode.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a 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)