NOVELTY - A fuel cell (10) for generating electrical energy from hydrogen-rich reducing fluid fuel and oxygen-containing oxidant reactant streams, comprises at least one hydrophilic nanoporous region (46, 48) disposed within and in fluid communication with at least one of the anode gas diffusion layer (20) and the cathode gas diffusion layer (34).    USE - The fuel cell is used for generating electrical energy from hydrogen-rich reducing fluid fuel and oxygen-containing oxidant reactant streams (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The fuel cells are suited for usage in transportation vehicles, portable power plants, or as stationary power plants, and the fuel cell has at least one hydrophilic nanoporous region to minimize problems associated with freezing of fuel cell water.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A fuel cell (10) for generating electrical energy from hydrogen-rich reducing fluid fuel and oxygen-containing oxidant reactant streams, comprises an anode gas diffusion layer (20) for diffusing flow of the fuel reactant stream; an anode catalyst layer (22) having a first planar surface (24) secured coextensively with and in fluid communication with the anode gas diffusion layer (20); a planar electrolyte membrane (26) secured adjacent an opposed second planar surface (28) of the anode catalyst layer (22); a cathode catalyst layer (30) having a first planar surface (32) secured adjacent and in fluid communication with an opposed planar surface the electrolyte membrane (26); a cathode gas diffusion layer (34) for diffusing flow of the oxidant reactant stream and secured coextensively with and in fluid communication with an opposed second planar surface (36) of the cathode catalyst layer (30); and at least one hydrophilic nanoporous region (46, 48) disposed within and in fluid communication with at least one of the anode gas diffusion layer (20) and the cathode gas diffusion layer (34). An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is a method of minimizing ice accumulation within and adjacent a cathode catalyst layer (30) and/or an anode catalyst layer (22) of a fuel cell (10).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a simplified schematic view of a fuel cell.    Fuel cell (10)    Anode gas diffusion layer (20)    Anode catalyst layer (22)    First planar surfaces (24, 32)    Planar electrolyte membrane (26)    Second planar surfaces (28, 36)    Cathode catalyst layer (30)    Cathode gas diffusion layer (34)    Hydrophilic nanoporous regions (46, 48)