TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrochemical cell further comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The liquid has an endothermic heat of vaporization, where the liquid extracts heat from the cathode by vaporization. The vaporization further humidifies the MEA (64). The wicking material forms an electrically conductive path between the MEA and the impermeable electrically conductive layer. The fluid distribution mechanism is internally re-distributing water to minimize differences in humidity along a face of the MEA. Conductive lands protrude from the impermeable electrically conductive layer and create an electrically conductive path between either the anode or the cathode and the impermeable electrically conductive layer. Water is generated at the cathode and wicked away from the cathode by the wicking material. A second fluid distribution mechanism is disposed between the electrically conductive layer and the anode. It defines gas flow channels, and comprises a liquid wicking material. A second header is provided and comprises a liquid reservoir in contact with a proximal end of the second fluid distribution mechanism. The second fluid distribution mechanism and the second header are constructed and arranged to provide movement of the liquid from the liquid reservoir to and through the second fluid distribution mechanism and toward a distal end of the second fluid distribution mechanism. The electrically conductive layer has the major surface facing the cathode and an exterior surface region (84). The major surface is centrally located on the electrically conductive layer and adjacent to the exterior surface region. It is electrically conductive. The exterior surface region is non-conductive to reduce shunt currents. The fluid distribution mechanism extends over both the major surface and a portion of the exterior surface region to facilitate humidification of gas entering the cathode. The gases flowing within the gas flow channels are saturated with vapor. The saturated vapor gases are condensed and collected in the liquid reservoir.Preferred Method: The method further comprises recovering the evaporated water by condensation, where the recovered water supplements the water source.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The wicking material comprises a compound from carbon, graphite, stainless steel, chrome, and/or their alloys. The impermeable conductive layer comprises a compound from aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, or their alloys and mixtures.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The non-conductive wicking material comprises a compound from olefin polymers, polypropylene, cellulose, polybutylacrylate, polyamideimide, or their mixtures and equivalents.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Material: The wicking material is fiber mats, fiber cloths, woven cloths, papers, sintered metals, mesh, screen, metal foams, sprayed metal powders, polymers with conductive particles dispersed in the polymer, or their mixtures and equivalents. It is non-conductive, and comprises pores having a size of 5-50 mum. The non-conductive wicking material is sintered non-conductive particles, fibers, woven or non-woven cloth, mats, flock, polymers, polymeric foam, or their mixtures and equivalents.