NOVELTY - A fuel cell (C1) comprise a membrane (m1) comprising organic conducting materials and/or inorganic conducting materials; and a catalyst layer disposed on a first side of (m1). (m1) includes at least a first membrane layer and a second membrane layer, where the first membrane layer is 10 - 100 Angstrom thick. The catalyst layer includes several layers of catalyst having the first layer of membrane material disposed between each layer of the catalyst.    USE - In microelectronics (e.g. microprocessor chips, communication chips and optoeletronic chips), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidics, sensors and analytical devices (e.g. microchromatography), communication/positioning devices (e.g. beacons and GPS systems), and recording devices.    ADVANTAGE - The membrane has a thickness of 0.01 - 10 microns; an area resistivity of 0.1 - 1000 ohms cm2; and a permeability of 10-8 - 10-14 (preferably 10-10 - 10-14, especially 10-12 - 10-14) g/cmasterisksasteriskTorr.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a micro-fuel cell (C2) comprises a substrate including anode current collectors; (m1) disposed on the anode current collectors; hollow channel substantially defined by a portion of the substrate and a portion of the membrane, where the catalyst layer is disposed on a side of (M1) exposed to the hollow channel; and cathode current collector disposed on (m1) on the side opposite the substrate; where an electrically conductive path is disposed between the catalyst layer and the anode current collector; and    (2) fabricating a micro-fuel cell involves disposing a sacrificial polymer layer onto a substrate; removing portions of the sacrificial material to form sacrificial material portions; disposing a first porous catalyst layer onto the sacrificial material portions; disposing a first layer of a membrane material onto the sacrificial material portions, and the first porous catalyst layer; disposing a second porous catalyst layer onto the first layer of a membrane material; disposing a second layer of a membrane material onto the second porous catalyst layer; and removing the sacrificial material portions to form hollow channels substantially defined by the substrate, membrane material, and the first porous catalyst layer.