Method and apparatus of an air breathing hydrogen fuel cell using direct liquid fuels

A method of generating electric power, comprising:

• supplying air and fuel to a fuel cell comprising:
• a first, second, and third electrochemical cell,
• wherein the first electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode in fluid communication with an first air source and second electrode in fluid communication with a fuel source, wherein a first electrolyte membrane assembly is disposed between the first and second electrode, and wherein the first electrochemical cell is configured to generate a first stage electric power (P1) from the fuel source;
• wherein the second electrochemical cell comprises a third electrode in fluid communication with the fuel source, and a fourth electrode, wherein a second electrolyte membrane assembly is disposed between the third and fourth electrode, and wherein the second electrochemical cell is configured to generate hydrogen gas from the fuel source and transport the hydrogen gas to the third electrochemical cell;
• and
• wherein the third electrochemical cell comprises the fourth electrode, a fifth electrode in fluid communication with a second air source, and a third electrolyte membrane assembly disposed between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, wherein the third electrochemical cell is configured to generate a second stage electric power (P2), wherein the fourth electrode is configured for use by the second electrochemical cell as a cathode for hydrogen generation, and by the third electrochemical cell as an anode for hydrogen oxidation.