[exDemMom]

I really don't get it. Where does the energy to break the C-H bonds come from? If it comes from burning the ethanol, then how much energy is lost to strip the hydrogen from the remaining EtOH? And what are the chemical reactions here?

H₃C-CH₂OH -> ???

[jjotto]

Slideshow at the link and wiki (direct-ethanol fuel cell) have basic explanations.