TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The data can be decoded by a symmetric-key technique or public-key technique. The fuel is contained in a liner that is disposed inside the outer casing. The information storage device comprises an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.The encrypted data consist of type of cartridge, date the cartridge was manufactured, lot number for the cartridge, sequential identification number assigned to the cartridge, date the information storage device was manufactured, lot number for the information storage device, sequential identification number assigned to the information storage device, machine identification number for the cartridge and/or storage device, shift during which the cartridge and/or storage device were produced, country where the cartridge and/or storage device were produced, facility code identifying the factory where the cartridge and/or storage device were produced, vibration tolerance for the cartridge and other limits for operating parameter, materials used in manufacturing anti-counterfeit information, fuel information, intellectual property information, safety information, security password, expiration date, shut-down sequence, hot swap procedure, recycling information, reactant information, fuel gage type, fluid sensor information, current fuel level, current ion level in the fuel, number of separations of the cartridge from the fuel cell, number of times that the cartridge was refilled, fuel level on separation of the cartridge from the fuel cell, number of insertions/connections of the cartridge to the fuel cell, fluid level on connection of the cartridge to the fuel cell, maintenance information, marketing information, triggering events, efficiency of the fuel cell, or operational history of the fuel cell system. The controller is located in an electronic device that the fuel cell powers. The information storage device includes a security identification password.The fuel cell system further comprises mixing chamber, fuel compartment, and byproduct compartment.A flexible microporous member is fixedly attached to the regulating valve.The fuel supply is connectable to a pump (14).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ion-conducting polymer comprises polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyhexafluoropropylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, PTFE, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), their copolymers, or their blends. It comprises PTFE membrane with a perfluorinated polymer filling the pores of the membrane, or PVC membrane irradiated in a solution containing 2.5% chlorosulfonic acid. It is polystyrene sulfonic acid-polyvinylalcohol copolymer (PSSA-PVA), or polystyrene sulfonic acid-ethylene vinylalcohol copolymer (PSSA-EVOH). The medium includes a metal scavenger. The metal scavenger comprises flocculants, silica gel, or metal chelating compound. The silica gel is selected from a group consisting of 3-(diethylenetriamino) propylfunctionalized silica gel, 2-(4-(ethylenediamino)benzene)ethyl-functionalized silica gel, 3-(mercapto)propyl-functionalized silica gel, 3-(1-thioureido)propyl-functionalized silica gel and triamine tetraacetate-functionalized silica gel. The metal chelating compound includes ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA).