TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The nanotubes are impregnated in the first flow field plate. They are attached to a surface of the first flow field plate. They are attached to the flow field plate by sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, or physical vapor deposition. They are placed only on selected areas of the flow field plate. They are impregnated in a carrier that is placed on the face of the electrolyte. The gaseous fuel delivery system includes gas inlet channels in the flow field plate to which the fuel can be transferred from an external source. The nanotubes are in fluid communication with the gas inlet channels. The fuel cell includes a gaseous oxidizer delivery system having an array of aligned nanotubes for delivering a gaseous oxidizer into contact with the catalyst on the second face of the electrolyte; circuitry comprising the nanotubes for conducting electrons liberated at the first face of the electrolyte to an external load; a membrane hydrating system for hydrating the membrane; and a silicon-based component. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane. The hydrating membrane comprises a component for introducing atomized water into the channel; and a flow component for atomizing the water introduced into the channel. The electrodes comprise a catalyst, i.e. platinum or a platinum alloy, embedded in an active carbon carrier. The catalyst is the dried residue of an ink comprising platinum or a platinum alloy, active carbon, and a solution of the same polymer from which the electrolyte is fabricated. The fuel cell stack has a first manifold at one end of the fuel cell array; a second manifold at a second end of the array for delivering a fuel, an oxidizer and hydrating water to the array and for removing excess water, oxidizer and/or fuel from the fuel cell stack; an electron conducting system comprising arrays of fuel cell nanotubes for conducting electrons liberated at the anodes of the fuel cells in the stack to an external load; and a monitoring system for providing information relating to attribute(s) of the stack. The monitoring system comprises a sensor mounted to a component of the stack. The fuel cell stack further includes a casing surrounding the array of fuel cells making up the stack; seals (72, 78) for isolating the interior of the casing from the ambient surroundings; and first and second current collectors at opposite ends of the array of fuel cells making up the stack for electrically connecting the cells to the external load or grid.Preferred Method: The perfluorosulfonate in the assemblage of membrane and catalytic electrodes is converted to the acidic form by boiling the assemblage in 0.1-10 moles solution of sulfinic acid. The assembly of membrane and catalytic electrodes is treated at an elevated temperature, under a pressure, and for a time effective to the material constituting the electrodes in the membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The sensor has the capability of monitoring one of fuel pressure, fuel flow rate, oxidizer pressure, oxidizer flow rate, fuel cell temperature, fuel cell internal resistance, fuel cell output voltage, and fuel cell external current level. Java is the native language in which the micro-controller runs. The arrangement comprises the Internet, a local area network, or a unit with video capabilities and user-actuatable components for generating microprocessor input commands.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Component: The ink also comprises a constituent for promoting the spreading of the ink over the face of the electrolyte to which the ink is applied; and a setting agent for the polymer. It further contains 3-5 wt.% solution of the same ionomer from which the membrane is formed; and a curing agent in an amount effective to thermally set the ionomer. The catalyst is present in an amount of 5-20% based on the total weight of the ink. The ionomer is present in an amount of 3-5% based on the total weight of the ink.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer is a perfluorinated ionomer. The perfluorosulfonate ionomer has the general chemical structure (1).Xasterisk = sulfonic functional group; andM+ = a metal cation in the neutralized form of the ionomer (H+ in the acid form of the ionomer).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The nanotubes are carbon fullerenes.Preferred Material: The flow field plates are fabricated from silicon doped with an impurity capable of significantly reducing the resistance of silicon to the flow of an electrical current, preferably doped with boron, arsenic or phosphorus.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The alloy contains 3-17 wt.% platinum, and ruthenium (balance); or 3-17 wt.% platinum, and M (balance), where M is a metal or combination of metals from the transition elements and/or from the metals in Groups (IIIA) and (IVA) of the periodic table.