TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The membrane electrode assembly comprises a first current collector layer, a membrane electrode assembly, and a second current collector layer. The IR transmissive window is disposed adjacent the first current collector layer and in registration with the membrane electrode assembly. The IR transmissive window is on the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly, or on the cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell includes a first distribution plate having an IR transmissive window, a second distribution plate, and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the first and second distribution plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer and an ion exchange membrane disposed between them. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a first current collector, an anode layer, an ion exchange membrane, a cathode layer, and a second current collector. The window is on the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly. The first current collector is IR transmissive. The window is on the cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly. The second current collector is IR transmissive. The IR transmissive window comprises a quartz or sapphire window in first distribution plate. The second distribution plate has channels for directing the flow of fuel and oxidant. The first and second distribution plates have inlet and outlet ports for introduction of fuel and oxidant and release of products. The fuel cell includes engagement mechanisms for releasably coupling the components of the fuel cell to allow replacement of a component. The anode layer is platinum, ruthenium, hafnium, molybdenum, tin, their alloys, or mixtures of their other precious and non-precious metals and oxyhydroxides. The cathode layer is platinum, other precious and transition metals, alloys, their mixtures, or metal containing nanoparticles as well as non-precious metal catalysts. The ion exchange membrane is an acid functional fluoropolymer. The thermographic profile is captured as a function of time. The thermographic profile is captured by a digital infrared camera having pixels corresponding to points on membrane electrode assembly. The thermographic profile is captured by an IR detector adapted for outputs corresponding to the preselected points on the membrane electrode assembly. The electrical output of fuel cell is monitored concurrently with the thermographic profile. The performance of the fuel cell is evaluated by capturing the thermographic profile as a fuel is introduced to the anode side and an oxidant is introduced to the cathode side and a current is generated. The current and/or voltage are recorded. A first thermographic profile is captured, a component changed, a second thermographic profile captured, or the profiles compared. The voltages are simultaneously recorded. The half-cell potentials of the anode and cathode are recorded. A thermographic profile of an electrode is captured. The electrode has a gradient concentration of catalyst on its surface. Preferred Methods: The method includes obtaining a first thermographic profile while connected to an electrical load, removing the electrical load, obtaining a second thermographic profile, and subtracting the second from the first thermographic profile.