Method of using solid organic fuels in a fuel cell

Claim 1

IN A METHOD OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY PRODUCING ELECTRICITY BY PROVIDING A FUEL CELL WHICH COMPRISES AN ANODE, AN OXYGEN GAS CATHODE, AN AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE IN PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH BOTH SAID ANODE AND CATHODE, AND AN EXTERNAL CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAID ANODE AND CATHODE, AND INCLUDING THE STEPS OF SUPPLYING OXYGEN GAS TO SAID CATHODE AND SUPPLYING TO SAID ANODE FUEL WHICH ELECTROCHEMICALLY COMBINES WITH SAID OXYGEN GAS TO FORM WATER; THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES MAKING SAID ANODE OF ACTIVE CARBON AT LEAST ON THE ACTIVE SURFACES THEREOF AND DEPOSITING ON SAID CARBON A METAL CATALYST SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE PLATINUM FAMILY METALS, IRON, NICKEL, AND MIXTURES THEREOF TO THE EXTENT OF ABOUT 1/4 TO 8 MILLIGRAMS PER CENTIMETER SQUARE OF APPARENT SURFACE AREA, AND SUPPLYING DIRECTLY TO SAID ANODE A FUEL CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A MEMBER OF THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SUGAR AND PENTAERYTHRITOL DISSOLVED IN WATER, WHICH FUEL BY DISSOCIATION PROVIDES HYDROGEN IONS WITHOUT HYDROGEN MOLECULES AT THE SURFACE OF SAID ANODE.