The invention is a fuel cell comprising a cathode film having a side surface, an anode film having a side surface and an electrolyte film disposed between the cathode film and the anode film and having a side surface. The anode, cathode and electrolyte side surfaces are coplanar. Protons generated at the anode diffuse along the anode side surface, the electrolyte side surface or both towards the cathode side surface. Oxygen ions generated at the cathode diffuse along the cathode side surface, the electrolyte side surface, or both towards the anode side surface.