TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell is a hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel consuming agent is a hydrogen consuming agent. The fuel cartridge is a hydrogen fuel cartridge. The hydrogen consuming agent is a hydrogen recombining agent comprising a hydrogen oxidizing material and activating material; or hydrogen getter. The activating material includes a first and second activating component each capable of cleaving hydrogen. The hydrogen consuming agent is dispersed in a gas-permeable matrix (preferably in a silicone polymer). The fuel cell is a methanol, ethanol, methane, propane, butane, formic acid, hydrazine, or ammonia fuel cell. The fuel is methanol, ethanol, methane, propane, butane, formic acid, hydrazine and/or ammonia. The fuel cartridge is methanol, ethanol, methane, propane, butane, formic acid, hydrazine, or ammonia fuel cartridge. Preferred Method: In the coating method, the hydrogen fuel cell and cartridge comprises a housing having the external surface and an internal surface defining an internal volume. The coating of the external surface involves painting, spraying, dipping or printing the external surface with the fuel consuming agent. In the coating of fuel cartridge, fuel is disposed within the internal volume.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrogen oxidizing material is manganese oxide, manganese oxyhydroxide, nickel oxyhydroxide, copper oxide, barium oxide, silver oxide, mercury oxide, potassium permanganate, silver permanganate, manganese phosphate, bismuth oxide, m-dinitrobenzene, or quinone (preferably copper oxide). The first and second activating component of the activating material includes a transition metal, its salt or oxide. The transition metal is palladium, platinum or ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The electrochemical cell and (s1) additionally comprises a fuel sensor. The fuel cell housing is releasably engageable with the cartridge housing. The electrochemical cell system additionally comprises a coating over the hydrogen consuming agent. (c1) Additionally comprises cathode, anode, and electrolyte disposed within the internal volume. The anode oxidizes hydrogen gas. (s2) Additionally comprises a fuel cartridge connected to the fuel cell.