TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The porous membrane comprises a porous thick film from glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: A chemical microreactor is produced comprising separate reaction microchannels within a silicon substrate (4a-b), at least one of the reaction microchannels comprising a steam reformer for a hydrogen-containing fuel having a reforming catalyst material between the inlet(s) (8) and the outlet(s) (10), and at least one other of the reaction microchannels comprising an integrated catalytic microcombustion heater (14) having at least one heater catalyst material between the inlet and the outlet. Each reaction microchannel has inlet(s) and outlet(s). Preferred Material: The catalyst material is platinum, platinum ruthenium, nickel, palladium, copper, copper oxide, ceria, zinc oxide, alumina, and/or their alloys. The porous membrane comprises a porous thick film from porous silicon, anodic alumina, and/or zerogel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The method additionally includes forming the porous membrane (12) using thin film deposition, thick film formation, electrochemical etching, plasma etching, or selective chemical etching. It additionally includes imbedding the catalyst material within the porous membrane by a thin film deposition technique, ion exchange, or solgel doping. The reformer outlet connects to a manifold of a fuel cell. The reformer microchannel (6) inlet connects to a liquid fuel reservoir. Preferred Component: Porous membrane(s) is located between the reformer inlet and outlet. A porous getter structure is located at the exit side of the porous membrane. Preferred Dimension: The catalyst material covers a surface area of the porous membrane measuring greater than or equal to1 m2/cm3. The surface area and volume of the getter structure is greater than or equal to1 m2/cm3. Preferred Condition: The microchannels supports a fuel flow rate of 1-600 muL/minute.