TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: In (s1), the second gas permeable electrically conductive layer comprises a tab adapted to be bonded to a third gas permeable electrically conductive layer. The third gas permeable electrically conductive layer bonded to the anode comprised in the second membrane electrode assembly. The tab at least partially forming the gas-tight seal between the first and second fuel cell. An overlap portion of the second gas permeable electrically conductive layer overlaps and is bonded to an overlap portion of third gas permeable electrically conductive layer to form a gas-tight coupling via an electrically conductive adhesive. In (s1), the second gas permeable electrically conductive layer is bonded to the anode comprised in the second membrane electrode assembly, where the second conductive layer comprises the gas-tight seal; or is electrically coupled to the anode comprised in the second membrane electrode assembly cell via a z-strip. (s1) Additionally comprises a seal strip at least partially forms a channel adapted to direct a flow of a coolant for the first fuel cell; a seal strip adapted to isolate water produced by the first fuel cell from second fuel cell; a polymer support adapted to separate the fuel cell system from another fuel cell system; a corrugated polymer support adapted to separate the fuel cell system from another fuel cell system; and an electrical terminal electrically coupled to the first fuel cell, or to a bus. The bus electrically coupled to at least one other fuel cell system to form a parallel or series electrical coupling between the fuel cell system and the at least one other fuel cell system. (s2) Additionally comprises either a third gas permeable electrically conductive layer that is parallel to the first gas permeable electrically conductive layer and separated from it by the membrane electrode assembly, where the third gas permeable electrically conductive layer partially forms a channel adapted to direct a flow of oxygen; or the third conductive layer and spacer strip located adjacent to a portion of the third gas permeable electrically conductive layer and opposite a side of the third gas permeable electrically conductive layer adjacent to the membrane electrode assembly; or an electrical terminal electrically coupled to the first gas permeable electrically conductive layer; or the third conductive layer and an electrical terminal electrically coupled to the third gas permeable electrically conductive layer; or the third conductive layer, and a fourth gas permeable electrically conductive layer that is parallel to the third conductive layer and separated from it by a spacer; or the third and fourth conductive layer, and a channel formed between the third and fourth gas permeable electrically conductive layer, where the channel adapted to direct a flow of hydrogen or oxygen. In (s2), the second fuel cell is electrically coupled in series with the first fuel cell. (s2) Additionally comprises a gas tight interconnect between a cathode partially formed by the first conductive layer and an anode partially formed by the second conductive layer; several of non-planar gas permeable electrically conductive layers or several of parallel non-planar conductive layers comprising the first and second conductive layer; a second fuel cell coupled in series with the first fuel cell, where first conductive layer of the second fuel cell is not parallel with the first conductive layer of the first fuel cell. The first portion of the first conductive layer is not parallel with second portion of the first conductive layer. In (s2), the first gas permeable electrically conductive layer partially forms a first channel adapted to direct a flow of hydrogen and the second conductive layer partially forms a second channel adapted to direct a flow of oxygen. (s2) Produces an electric current, which is related to a length of the first gas permeable electrically conductive layer; and an electric voltage, which is related to a count of several of fuel cells comprising the first fuel cell, where the fuel cells electrically coupled in series. In (s2), the membrane electrode assembly comprises a catalyst adapted to increase a rate of reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Mat: The mat comprises several of pitch fibers having a length of greater than approximately one millimeter. Preferred Method: (m1) Additionally involves either soaking the fabric in a hydrophobic material and drying the fabric; or soaking the fabric in polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion. (m1) Additionally involves applying a microporous sub-layer on the fabric; applying a mixture comprising polytetrafluoroethylene and 2-propanol to the fabric to form a microporous sub-layer; airbrushing a mixture comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon particles, and 2-propanol to the fabric to form a microporous sub-layer on a side of the fabric adapted to be adjacent to a catalyst layer comprised in the first fuel cell, where the microporous sub-layer has a thickness of greater than approximately 15 microns; sintering the fabric after application of a mixture comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon particles, and 2-propanol to the fabric; airbrushing a mixture comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon particles, and 2-propanol to the fabric comprising woven pitch fibers to form a microporous sub-layer, and sintering the fabric at a temperature greater than approximately 250degreesC; heating the fabric to remove an epoxy coating. Preferred Components: In (m1), the fabric is woven with a satin weave; 3-harness fabric comprised of bundles that comprise 5000 fibers; and is comprised of spun fibers. Each of the pair of gas permeable electrically conductive layers is substantially parallel. The pair of gas permeable electrically conductive layers comprises a first gas permeable electrically conductive layer substantially parallel to a second gas permeable electrically conductive layer. The first gas permeable electrically conductive layer separated from the second gas permeable electrically conductive layer by a membrane electrode assembly; or the first gas permeable electrically conductive layer partially overlapping the second gas permeable electrically conductive layer.