Abstract: A fuel cell has an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a CPU cooling system, for example, a fan, while a computer continues to operate has a mechanism for maintenance personnel to signal that cooling fan replacement is about to begin. In response to the signal, a control mechanism causes the CPU to shift into an operating mode in which heat generation is reduced. In some cases, a clock frequency of the affected CPU and/or a duty cycle at which the CPU operates is reduced. After the fan has been replaced the control mechanism returns the CPU to a normal operational mode, for example, by increasing the clock frequency or duty cycle to a normal level. During the fan replacement procedure, the CPU and its software continues to run at lower than normal performance.