TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred Device: In the computing device, the first portion of the outer covering provides a structural support to the electronic component or the fuel cell; the first portion of the outer covering provides mechanical protection to the electronic component or the fuel cell; or the first portion of the outer covering is rigid. The outer covering has a second portion which is a microstructure that provides lower oxygen permeability than the first portion, where the second portion is integrally formed with the outer covering. The second portion has a substantially non-oxygen-permeable microstructure. The outer covering has no visible apertures. It is a unitary structure. The oxidant inlet of the fuel cell is provided on an oxidant inlet face of the fuel cell, and where the oxidant inlet face of the fuel cell is integrated with the first portion of the outer covering. The computing device further comprises a fan configured to direct air through the first portion of the outer covering into the oxidant inlet of the fuel cell. It comprises a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path, where the first fluid flow path is provided between the fan and the electronic component, the second fluid flow path is provided between the fan and the oxidant inlet of the fuel cell, and where the fan is configured to direct air into the first and second fluid flow paths. The outer covering is in thermal contact with the fuel cell or the electronic component and is configured to conduct heat from the fuel cell or the electronic component so as to maintain a suitable operating temperature of the device. The fan is situated between the first portion of the outer covering and the oxidant inlet. First portion of the outer covering comprises a chemical filter. The first portion of the outer covering is configured to filter, from an air stream passing between an exterior of the outer covering and the oxidant inlet of the fuel cell, at least one of: aromatic compounds; hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide; sulfur compounds; volatile organic compounds (VOCs); oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter. The fuel cell is a fuel cell stack and the first portion of the outer covering provides a compression plate of the fuel cell stack. The outer covering has a hydrophilic core configured to wick water from the fuel cell and a hydrophobic coating to prevent water ingress into the device. Preferred Parameters: The oxygen-permeable microstructure of the first portion comprises pores or apertures with a mean length less than one of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 microns in their longest dimension in a plane of the exterior surface of the covering. The pores or apertures are arranged in an ordered pattern. Preferred Components: The outer covering comprises one or more of: a porous sintered material; carbon fiber; metalized porous plastic; pierced metallic material; a metal or alloy; porous graphite; woven metallic fiber; metalized porous glass; stainless steel; aluminum possibly with protective coating; a plastic; carbon fiber; a composite material; porous glass; a ceramic; or metallic coated materials.