NOVELTY - Fuel cell electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte (12); a porous diffusion layer (14); and a catalyst layer (16) interposed between the electrolyte and the diffusion layer. The catalyst layer includes a mixture of at least one catalyst (18) supported by a conducting high surface area structure (19), at least one polymeric electrolyte (20), and fibers (22) having an average diameter greater than 100 nm.    USE - For a fuel cell (claimed), e.g. direct methanol fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, and solid acid fuel cells. The fuel cell is used to electrical load and/or to electrical storage device used in computers, portable electronic appliances (e.g. portable digital assistants, portable power tools), and communication devices, portable or both consumer and military. The electrical storage device can be capacitors, batteries, and power conditioning devices, e.g. uninterruptible power supplies, DC/AC converters, DC voltage converters, voltage regulators, current limiters. The fuel cell can be used in the transportation industry, e.g. to power automobiles, and in the utilities industry, e.g. within power plants.    ADVANTAGE - Resists cracking during heating and drying processes, reduces electrical impedance of the electrode, and increases efficiency of the fuel cell's current delivery.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (a) a method of forming a fuel cell electrode assembly, comprising forming a catalyst layer including a polymeric electrolyte capable of solubilizing, a catalyst supported by a conducting high surface area structure, and fibers; establishing the catalyst layer between an electrolyte and a porous diffusion layer; and heating the catalyst layer, thus bonding the electrolyte to the diffusion layer and forming the fuel cell electrode assembly;    (b) an electronic device, comprising a load; and a fuel cell comprising the inventive fuel cell electrode assembly and connected to the load; and    (c) a method of using a fuel cell, comprising operatively connecting the fuel cell to a load.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a semi-schematic view of a fuel cell electrode assembly.    Electrolyte (12)    Diffusion layer (14)    Catalyst layer (16)    Catalyst (18)    Conducting high surface area structure (19)    Polymeric electrolyte (20)    Fibers (22)