The present invention relates to a channeled metal clad fiber comprising
one or more surface channels that extend along directions that are
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such fiber. The
present invention also provides a microfibrous fuel cell structure that
comprises a hollow microfibrous membrane separator having an electrolyte
medium therein and defining a bore side and a shell side. An inner
current collector, which is formed of a channeled metal clad fiber or a
channeled metal fiber that is unclad, and an inner electrocatalyst layer
are positioned at the bore side of such microfibrous fuel cell, and an
outer current collector and an outer electrocatalyst layer are positioned
at the shell side of such microfibrous fuel cell. The surface channels on
such inner current collector provide inner fluid passages for passing a
fuel-containing or an oxidant-containing fluid through the microfibrous
fuel cell.