NOVELTY - A relative humidity (RH) sensor system (200), comprises RH sensor (204) associated with at least one heating element; and thin substrate material surrounding and laminating the heating element. The heating element is configured to permit humid air to pass through the heating element. The heating element is assembled slightly offset from a surface of the RH sensor.    USE - The system is used for sensing relative humidity in fuel cell systems, e.g. polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications.    ADVANTAGE - The porous heating element can be configured to permit humid air to pass through the porous heating element. The porous heating element can be further assembled slightly offset from a surface of the RH sensor, where air that is saturated with water vapor passes through and is heated by the porous heating element in order to evaporate water droplets thereof to thus reduce relative humidity to a measurable level. Additionally, a flat heating element can be bonded to the base of the RH sensor to conduct heat and insure uniform heating about the RH sensor.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A RH sensor system, comprises a RH sensor associated with at least one heating element, where a perimeter of the RH sensor is surrounded with relatively conductive material; and a thin substrate material surrounding and laminating the heating element. The heating element is configured to permit humid air to pass through the heating element. The heating element is assembled slightly offset from a surface of the RH sensor, where air that is saturated with water vapor passes through and heated by the heating element in order to evaporate water droplets associated with the water vapor thus reduce RH to a measurable level. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a RH sensing method, comprising:    (1) providing a RH sensor;    (2) associating the RH sensor with at least one heating element, where the heating element is configured from a porous material and where a perimeter of the RH sensor is surrounded with a relatively conductive material;    (3) surrounding and laminating the heating element with a thin substrate material, where the heating element is configured to permit humid air to pass through the heating element;    (4) assembling the heating element slightly offset from a surface of the RH sensor, where air that is saturated with water vapor passes through and heated by the heating element in order to evaporate water droplets associated with the water vapor thus reduce RH to a measurable level.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure illustrates a block diagram of a sensor system.    Relative humidity sensor system (200)    RH sensor (204)    Housing (220)    Holes (222, 224, 226, 228, 230)