TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The channel comprises flow channels. The body has an opening providing access to the flow channels. A filter is disposed between the opening and the flow channels to retain the hydrogen storage medium in the flow channels. The hydrogen storage medium is in particle form. The fuel cell system component includes a terminal collector element including the heating element, or conductive fluid distribution element including the heating element. It comprises adjacent fuel cells, in which the heating element is disposed between the adjacent fuel cells. It may comprise a terminal fuel cell and a terminal collector plate between which the heating element is disposed; or a terminal collector plate and an end base plate between which the heating element. Preferred Condition: The hydrogen storage medium has an equilibrium pressure for absorption of hydrogen of less than 30, preferably less than 5 atm at 25degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The body may be constructed from metal consisting of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel, stainless steel, and/or their alloys, preferably aluminum, aluminum magnesium.Preferred Component: The storage medium has a hydrided state comprising metal hydride and a dehydrided state comprising metal or metal alloy that absorbs hydrogen according to equation M(s)+H2(g)=MHy(S), in which hydrogen is in gaseous form. The metal alloy, M, is comprised of a composition having the nominal formula of AB5 and AB2. The metal alloy is lanthanum pentanitride.M = solid phase metal alloy;MH = solid phase metal hydride;y = is based on charge balance;A = metal species consisting of lanthanum, neodymium, cerium, praseodymium, mischmetal, calcium, and/or titanium;andB = a second metal species consisting of iron, tin, nickel, aluminum, cobalt, and/or manganese.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The body is constructed of a material that is electrically and thermally conductive, preferably polymeric composite.