In principle, its structure is similar to that of a battery. It also has an anode and cathode. They are separated by a membrane. By means of an electrochemical reaction, the direct methanol fuel cell converts the fuel, i.e. methanol, into electricity in combination with oxygen, producing only waste heat, water vapor and a small amount of carbon dioxide as waste products of the combustion process. The decisive advantages of the direct methanol fuel cell are already evident here.
Conventional generation of electricity from chemical energy sources is achieved by combustion and utilization of the resulting hot gases. A heat engine drives a generator and thus makes the electricity usable. The direct methanol fuel cell eliminates this intermediate step. It generates energy without any detours. This makes it interesting for a whole range of applications. For example, in the stationary field of communication, for measuring stations and monitoring systems or for new mobility concepts.