NOVELTY - A sol-gel derived composite comprises at least one noble metal and at least one electrically conductive component dispersed in and distributed throughout a matrix comprising titanium silicon sol-gel derived material and/or zirconium silicon sol-gel derived material.    USE - Used for a membrane electrode assembly used in a fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - The composite offers simplicity, ultra-high homogeneity, high purity, narrow particle size distribution, facile routes to multicomponent systems, low energy requirements, and low capital investments.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (A) an article comprising the above sol-gel derived composite;    (B) a substrate coated with the above sol-gel derived composite;    (C) the production of a sol-gel derived composite comprising combining a first solution comprising at least one noble metal containing compound with a second solution comprising a metal alkoxide, an orthosilicate, and a solvent to form a mixture; adding a third solution comprising at least one electrically conductive component to the mixture; and polymerizing the mixture to form an inorganic gel;    (D) a direct methanol fuel cell comprising a chamber, a membrane separating the chamber into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment;    (E) a fuel cell stack comprising at least two fuel cells comprising the above fuel cell; and    (F) a membrane electrode assembly comprising two electrodes, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the electrodes.    The sol-gel derived composite is arranged at the interface between the first electrode and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane is at least partially coated with a catalyst comprising a sol-gel derived composite comprising at least one noble metal and at least one electrically conductive component dispersed in and distributed throughout a matrix comprising titanium silicon sol-gel derived material, and/or zirconium silicon sol-gel derived material.