NOVELTY - The method comprises: supplying air to a cathode inlet stream (170) of a fuel cell (110); detecting a fuel cell parameter associated with a humidity of the inlet stream; and selectively operating the fuel cell in an active humidification mode or a deactive humidification mode based on the fuel cell parameter. The active humidification mode includes adding water to the cathode inlet stream, and the deactive humidification mode includes adding no water to the inlet stream. The fuel cell generates more output power when in the active humidification mode than in the deactive humidification mode.    USE - The method is useful for managing humidification for a fuel cell power system (claimed), where the fuel cell is: a proton exchange membrane fuel cell; and useful in automotive, portable, industrial, stationary, backup power or mobile device fuel cell applications.    ADVANTAGE - The method is capable of efficiently managing humidification in the fuel cell thus eliminating or reducing parasitic power losses and improving performance and operational life time of the fuel cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method comprises: supplying air to a cathode inlet stream (170) of a fuel cell (110); detecting a fuel cell parameter associated with a humidity of the cathode inlet stream; and selectively operating the fuel cell in an active humidification mode or a deactive humidification mode based on the fuel cell parameter. The active humidification mode includes adding water to the cathode inlet stream, and the deactive humidification mode includes adding no water to the cathode inlet stream. The active humidification mode adds a flow rate of water to achieve a relative humidity of the cathode inlet stream of greater than 49% when evaluated at the cathode inlet temperature. The active humidification mode comprises condensing water exiting the fuel cell from a cathode outlet stream, extracting the condensed water, and pumping the extracted water through a nozzle into the cathode inlet stream. The fuel cell parameter includes one of a fuel cell temperature, a fuel cell coolant temperature, a fuel cell outlet stream temperature, a fuel cell power output, a fuel cell load, a cathode outlet stream humidity, an ambient temperature, and a fuel cell resistance. The active humidification mode comprises directing the air through a membrane humidifier and into the fuel cell, and rotating an enthalpy wheel. The deactive humidification mode comprises supplying ambient air to the cathode inlet stream, and bypassing all the air around the membrane humidifier and directly into the fuel cell. The fuel cell generates more output power when in the active humidification mode than in the deactive humidification mode, and operates at a higher temperature when in the active humidification mode than in the deactive humidification mode. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a fuel cell humidification management system; and    (2) a fuel cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of a part of a fuel cell power system.    Fuel cell (110)    Air supply (120)    Humidification device (130)    Fuel (140)    Cathode inlet stream. (170)