TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The non-uniform support of the additive is in the x-y plane of the at least one ion-exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer, and anode catalyst layer. An increased loading of the additive is located in regions of the membrane electrode assembly more susceptible to membrane degradation. An increased loading of additive is located at the inlet and/or outlet regions of the at least one ion-exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer, and anode catalyst layer. The additive is dispersed within the ion-exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer, or anode catalyst layer. The additive is supported. Preferred Parameters: The ion-exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer, and/or anode catalyst layer has less than 80 (preferably 1-25)% coverage of the additive in the x-y plane. The ion-exchange membrane, cathode catalyst layer, and anode catalyst layer may have 10-25 (preferably 15-25)% coverage of the additive in the x-y plane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The additive is a radical scavenger such as hindered amines, hydroxylamines, arylamines, phenols, BHT, phosphites, benzofuranones, salicylic acid, azulenyl nitrones its derivatives, tocopherols, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), cyclic and acyclic nitrones, gold-chitosan nanocomposites, ascorbic acid and manganese ion (Mn2+). The additive is an organometallic Mn(II) or Mn(III) complex having an organic ligand such as 1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetate (CyDTA), ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonic acid (ENTMP), gluconate, N,N'-bis(salicylidene)propylenediamine, porphoryns, phthalocyanines, phenanthroline, hydrazine, pyrocatechol-3,5-disulphonic acid disodium salt, triethylenetetraamine, shift base macrocycles, or preferably ethylenediamine diacetic acid (EDDA).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The additive is a membrane cross-linker comprising a multivalent cation. The multivalent cation is aluminum ion, manganese (Mn) ion, magnesium ion, or zinc ion. The additive is manganese ion. It can be manganese oxide, manganese dioxide, or manganese pentoxide. The additive is a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst such as organometallic Mn(II) or Mn(III) complex, oxide catalysts, mixed oxide catalysts, and phosphites. The additive is a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst such as salt, oxide, or organometallic complex of cobalt, iron, chromium, manganese, copper, vanadium, ruthenium, palladium, nickel, molybdenum, tin, or tungsten. The additive is a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer selected from stannic oxide, sodium aluminate, hydrous alumina, zinc ion, sodium pyrophosphate, or their precursor.