NOVELTY - A manifold comprises: (i) a manifold body; (ii) first ports in the manifold body, for connecting to fuel cell peripherals; (iii) second ports in the manifold body, for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and (iv) fluid passages within the manifold providing communication between respective ones of the second ports, where, in use, the fluid passages communicate fluids between the stack and the peripherals.    USE - For a fuel cell system, e.g. fuel cells, electrolyzers or other electrochemical cells.    ADVANTAGE - The manifold provides a higher degree of system integration, and considerably reduced piping, fittings and associated hardware. It generally reduces the size and weight of the fuel cell system. It can be manufactured using currently available, inexpensive material, which makes it suitable for manufacturing and mass production. Thermal-fluid related system losses are also minimized, thus improving system efficiency. Since piping is minimized, control and maintenance of the system is simplified. The compact nature of the manifold allows the fuel cell systems to be developed for applications where strict size and weight constraints exist. The fuel cell system utilizing the inventive manifold can be easily reproduced in large quantities at dedicated production facilities.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack (10) including fuel cell(s), a manifold, additional ports and peripheral devices connected to the additional ports of the manifold.    The fuel cell stack has a cathode inlet (12) and a cathode outlet (13) for an oxide, an anode inlet (11) and an anode outlet (14) for a fuel gas, and a coolant inlet (16) and a coolant outlet (15). The manifold has ports connected to the cathode inlet, the cathode outlet, the anode inlet, the anode outlet, the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack. The additional ports include at least a port for an oxidant inlet, a port for a fuel gas inlet, and inlet and outlet ports for the coolant.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is an exploded perspective view of a manifold.    Fuel cell stack (10)    Anode inlet (11)    Cathode inlet (12)    Cathode outlet (13)    Anode outlet (14)    Coolant outlet (15)    Coolant inlet (16)    Ports (21)    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)    Humidifiers (110, 120)    Heat exchangers (111-113)    Fluid passages (421, 433, 441, 444, 451)