TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The manifold further includes:(a) coolant fluid passages within the manifold body;(b) a coolant inlet path;(c) a coolant return path;(d) a port providing a coolant inlet (112a) and connected to the coolant inlet of the fuel cell stack; and(e) inlet and outlet for deionized water.It is integrally formed by casting or molding. The manifold body is formed by compressing the layers one on top of the other together.It comprises layers juxtaposed together; a first plate layer including first ports; second plate layer including second ports; and a third plate layer between the first and second plate layers. Each layer has ports (21-26, 42a, 42b, 42f, 42, g, 42h, 43a, 43d, 43e, 43f', 43g, 44a, 44e, 44g, 46a, 46b, 61a-61h, 61a', 61b', 61j, 61k, 61m, 61n, 61q-61s), and fluid passages (421, 433, 441, 444, 451) providing communication between the respective ports of the corresponding layer. The complementary pairs of ports align and face one another. Layer(s) forms an external layer including ports forming the first and second ports. The third plate layer includes third ports; fluid passages; and plate layers each having ports and fluid passages. The fluid passages provide communication between the third ports.They are formed by using a method of melting, etching or molding. The third ports are aligned and in communication with respective ones of the first and second ports. A seal is provided between each pair of the layers, or provided around the ports for connection to the fuel cell peripherals and to the fuel cell stack.The peripheral devices include at least two heat exchangers; an oxidant humidifier; and a fuel gas humidifier. The manifold port connecting to the coolant outlet (112b) of the manifold is connected through the coolant return path to manifold port. The coolant return path includes connections to the heat exchangers where the coolant flows through the heat exchangers (111-113). The heat exchangers include an oxidant heat exchanger. An oxidant inlet is connected by the manifold through the oxidant heat exchanger to the cathode inlet of the fuel cell stack.The manifold provides a connection between the cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack and the surrounding environment. It provides for an oxidant to flow through the oxidant heat exchanger and the oxidant humidifier to the cathode inlet. It provides for fuel gas to flow through the fuel gas humidifier and the fuel gas heat exchanger to the anode inlet. It provides passages between the deionized water inlet and outlet passing through the fuel gas and air humidifiers (110, 120).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The manifold body is formed from a polymer material, e.g. GE noryl or EN265.