Abstract: A dietary supplement including a unique combination of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and optionally vitamins, minerals and specialty ingredients. The supplement can include a fruit ingredient, a vegetable ingredient and an herbal ingredient, wherein the fruit ingredient is at least one of pomegranate and citrus bioflavonoids, wherein the vegetable ingredient is at least one of asparagus, lutein, lycopene and watercress, and wherein the herbal ingredient is at least one of basil, oregano and rosemary. The supplement can be administered to subjects to reduce risk factors in a subject, for example, by lowering homocysteine levels and/or reducing DNA damage. The supplement can increase plasma levels of at least one of vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, folate, and beta-carotene and other vitamins or substances in the subject.

Abstract: A topical burn composition containing an extract of Mentha haplocalyx Brig. and at least one of an extract of Aloe vera and recombinant human epidermal growth factor.

Abstract: Multi-flavored dessert cakes and new combinations of flavors for dessert cakes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides multi-flavored cakes that each combine a number of different ingredients from a particular geographic location or culture of the world, merging the flavors of those ingredients with the traditional flavors of a European dessert cake, in particular chocolate. In one aspect, a multi-flavored dessert cake comprises a plurality of sponge cake portions, each sponge cake portion being capable of absorbing a flavored syrup. At least one sponge cake portion is soaked with a syrup having a first flavor and at least one other sponge cake portion is soaked with a syrup having a second flavor, so that each soaked sponge layer takes on a different flavor. The invention is particularly well-suited to provide new versions of the traditional opera cake.

Abstract: A breathable film involving at least one polymeric layer of 100% neutralized ionomer containing sufficient aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid salt to essentially triple the oxygen transmission value (OTV) and/or at least one polymeric layer of metallocene polyethylene (mPE) optional blended with low density polyethylene and preferably in combination with one or more outer layers of highly neutralized ionomer (e.g., Surlyn®). Such polymeric film and polymeric film structure has sufficient oxygen permeability, water vapor transmission, formability, and structural strength to be useful in wrapping food products requiring breathable films such as case ready meat, fish, sausage, fresh produce, and the like.

Abstract: System for making and delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer having a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store and the user interface, wherein the customization director includes executable instructions for determining a user's customized formulation; and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director, wherein the beverage delivery system includes executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product. Method for delivering a customized beverage product to an individual including the steps of obtaining consumer preference data; determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data; and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the customized beverage formulation, utilizing one or more of delayed dilution, delayed mixing, and delayed filtering, in any order.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hard sugar coating method comprising a step in which a sugar coating syrup is applied, said syrup consisting of maltitol or isomalt and at least one binder, characterized in that all or part of the dry matter of said binder is substituted by a sorbitol syrup or power in order to reduce the fragility of said sugar-coated products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for roasting vegetables and fruit, and the resultant roasted food product. In particular, the present method partially dehydrates the vegetable or fruit followed by roasting the dehydrated product, to produce a dehydro-roasted food product.

Abstract: A droplet information measuring method includes a preparation step of preparing a discharge head for discharging droplets, a measurement step of depositing a plurality of the droplets in series at predetermined intervals, and measuring a drying times of the plurality of droplets, and a calculation step of repeating the measurement step while varying the intervals of the plurality of droplets, and calculating a vapor diffusion distance of the droplets based upon the measurement results.

Abstract: A method of producing a multilayer interconnection board is disclosed that includes the steps of processing a resin member on an interconnection layer by imprinting press, and removing residue of the resin member at the bottom of a via hole after forming the via hole. In the method of producing a multilayer interconnection board, a thermal setting resin, which has a setting temperature higher than that of the resin member, is applied on a via-connecting portion of the interconnection layer, the resin member is formed on the interconnection layer, an interconnection groove and a via hole are formed by imprinting press on the resin member by using a tool, and an un-cured portion of the high temperature setting resin is dissolved and removed by using a resin solvent. Thereby, residue of the resin member on the thermal setting resin is removed.

Abstract: A ferrite film is formed by regularly arranging constituents such as magnetized grains or one analogous to that. In the ferrite film, the constituents have at least one of the uniaxial anisotropy and the multiaxial anisotropy. The ferrite film has the magnetic anisotropy or the magnetic isotropy. The ferrite film is formed by the use of the plating method in the presence of a magnetic field. Furthermore, an electromagnetic noise suppressor includes the ferrite film.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a color filter. An imprint mask accompanied by a dry etching step is used to replace the conventional wet development process. The present invention attains the advantages of increased pattern uniformity of color elements, improved film flatness of color elements, increased resolution, reduced process time, reduced process cost, and elimination of the use of developing solvent to reduce waste treatment and environmental impact.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated substrate is disclosed. The method comprises depositing an undercoating layer and depositing a functional coating comprising a material which can be present in more than one crystal structure over the undercoating layer, wherein there is a critical deposition thickness at which the functional coating transforms from a first polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the material having a first crystal structure to a second polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the same material having a second crystal structure.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method of forming a ruthenium tetroxide containing gas to form a ruthenium containing layer on a surface of a substrate is described herein. The method and apparatus described herein may be especially useful for fabricating electronic devices that are formed on a surface of the substrate or wafer. Generally, the method includes exposing a surface of a substrate to a ruthenium tetroxide vapor to form a catalytic layer on the surface of a substrate and then filling the device structures by an electroless, electroplating, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD) or plasma enhanced ALD (PE-ALD) processes. In one embodiment, the ruthenium containing layer is formed on a surface of a substrate by creating ruthenium tetroxide in an external vessel and then delivering the generated ruthenium tetroxide gas to a surface of a temperature controlled substrate positioned in a processing chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a metallic pattern forming method comprising: forming a region in which a graft polymer, that directly bonds to a surface of a base material that includes a polyimide and has a functional group that interacts with either an electroless plating catalyst or a precursor thereof, is generated in a pattern shape; imparting either an electroless plating catalyst or a precursor thereof and electroless plating so as to form a metallic film in the pattern shape, wherein the polyimide has at least one structural unit represented by the following Formula (1) or Formula (2) and has a polymerization initiating site in a skeleton thereof. R1 represents a bivalent organic group. R2 is represented by one of Formulae (3) to (6). R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently represents a bivalent organic group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinked aqueous solution polymer composition consisting of about 15 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of at least one water soluble monomer, preferably an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a crosslinking agent. The polymer solution is sufficiently low enough in viscosity such that it can be applied in aqueous form, yet after crosslinking possesses a fast rate of acquisition and is high absorption capacity. The invention also relates to new methods of enhancing the absorbency of various articles, increasing the humectancy and/or absorbency of a fiber or fibrous matrix, improving the water retention of soil and other agricultural methods, and increasing the open time of cement by incorporating or applying an aqueous superabsorbent polymer composition.

Abstract: Methods for coating articles that include a plastic substrate are disclosed. Certain methods include the steps of (i) applying a composition that includes an adhesion promoting agent to at least a portion of the substrate by a first application technique, (ii) applying a composition that includes an adhesion promoting agent over at least a portion of the composition applied in step (i) by a second application technique that is different from the first application technique, and (iii) applying a protective and decorative coating system over at least a portion of the compositions applied in steps (i) and (ii). Systems for coating articles that include a plastic substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the assembly of a thin film containing highly anisotropic colloids that includes the steps of immersing a substrate in a first solution or dispersion comprising a first substance, wherein the first substance has an affinity for the substrate. Then, immersing the substrate in a second solution or dispersion comprising a second substance, wherein the second substance has an affinity for the first substance. A least one of the first substance and the second substance is a highly anisotropic colloid having at least one dimension differing from the others by a ratio of at least 1:1.5. The method incorporates highly anisotropic colloids using a layer-by-layer process that circumvents the tendency for separation of nanotubes at high nanotube loadings. Additionally, the method incorporates aligned highly anisotropic colloids and provides a method for carbon nanotube alignment, which among other advantages makes possible the preparation of unique criss-crossed composites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a coated metal sheet coil comprising the coating of the metal sheet with a curable composition comprising an (meth)acrylated oligomer which is the reaction product of a carboxyl functionalized polybutadiene comprising x equivalents of —COOH groups with (i) y equivalents of one or more (meth)acrylated monoepoxides or (ii) a mixture of z equivalents of one or more polyepoxides and at least (z-x) equivalents of an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid; with z>x and y?x.

Abstract: A procedure for the synthesis of titanium nitride (TiN) thin films on metal substrate by vapor deposition using a magnetized sheet plasma source is disclosed. TiN films on metal substrate exhibiting the stoichiometric TiN and Ti2N were synthesized in a mixed N2/Ar plasma with initial gas filing ratio of preferably 1:3 under the following conditions: total initial gas filing pressure of at least about 40 mTorr, plasma current in the range of about 2A to 3A and plasma discharge potential in the range of about 125V to about 150V.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid-crystalline medium, use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and displays containing this medium, wherein the medium contains one or more compounds of formula I and one or more compounds of formulae K-1 to K-11, containing a CF2O bridge.

Abstract: A class of soluble poly(aryletherimides) (PAEIs) having flexible backbones, useful in the manufacture of polymeric optical films are disclosed. The poly(aryletherimides) are dissolved in organic solvents, such as ketones and ketone solvent mixtures and coated on variety of substrates such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC), to form clear thin-layer films which display negative birefringence. The thin films can serve as compensation layers in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and can be combined with other types of optical films, such as polarizers, brightness enhancement films, or other compensation films, to from multi-layered films that are especially useful in the manufacture of LCDs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal sealing composition and a liquid crystal display panel excellent in adhesion, moisture permeation resistance and heat resistance and superior for use in a sheet press heating bonding system. The liquid crystal sealing composition comprises (1) an alkoxysilyl group-containing modified epoxy resin obtained by de-alcohol condensation reaction of (a) an epoxy resin having at least one hydroxyl group in one molecule and (b) an alkoxysilyl group-containing compound, (2) a heat latent epoxy curing agent, (3) a filler having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 10 ?m, and if necessary (4) an epoxy resin having at least 1.2 epoxy groups on average in one molecule, (5) an aprotic solvent having a boiling point in the range of 140 to 220° C., compatible with epoxy resin and inert to an epoxy group, and (6) other additives.

Abstract: The present invention aims to solve a blocking problem of an intermediate transfer recording medium and to provide an intermediate transfer recording medium having excellent separability. The intermediate transfer recording medium comprises: a sheet substrate provided with a resin layer; and a transparent sheet provided with a receptive layer. The transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer has been put on top of the sheet substrate provided with the resin layer so that the resin layer faces the transparent sheet on its side remote from the receptive layer. The resin layer is separable from the transparent sheet to transfer the transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer onto an object. The resin layer has a single layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more layers.

Abstract: A transparent article includes a continuous polyester matrix having at least one incompatible filler dispersed therein. The incompatible filler provides domains in the polyester matrix, each domain having a particular dimension, thus providing a range of dimensions for the domains in the article. To create haze, the dimensions are within the range of from about 380 nm to about 720 nm. Once the range of dimensions is determined, a light absorbent composition can be found which absorbs light at a range of wavelengths that at least substantially covers the range of dimensions of the domains. In doing so, it has been found that the haze of the article can be substantially masked. Method for producing the article and for masking the haze are also provided.

Abstract: A plies sleeve for use in forming a core of plies and beads on a core build mandrel where the plies sleeve is woven as a tubular sleeve having a uniform circumference that will stretch laterally, increasing the sleeve circumference to fit over a top surface or crown of the core build mandrel and is of a length to where each sleeve side will fold down an opposite core build mandrel side, passing around a tire bead, back up the cored build mandrel side and over the top surface or crown edge. Which outward sleeve stretching is provided by a select weave where Rayon cords are spiral wound as vertical components of approximately seven point (7.5) pics per inch, and elastic cords are included as horizontal components of approximately eight (8) pics per inch that are formed as pre-cure elastic cords from a urethane material and are cotton wound, to allow for sleeve stretching and provide for a return of the plies sleeve to its un-stretched state.

Abstract: A vaulting pole is made of five layers of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The first layer comprises a fiberglass or straight run carbon fiber material oriented such that at least half of the fibers are transverse to the longitudinal axis, the second layer comprises at least one circumference of a fiberglass or carbon fiber inner body wrap, the third layer comprises a fiberglass or carbon fiber trapezoidal sail piece, and the fourth layer comprises at least one circumference of a fiberglass or carbon fiber outer body wrap. At least one of the second, third, and fourth layers comprises carbon weave.

Abstract: Method for producing a laser-printable film which comprises printing an engraving layer comprising a UV-curable coating onto a support film, applying an electron-beam curable coating on top of the engraving layer, and then curing the film by electron irradiation.

Abstract: An adhesive cord cover for enveloping a cord, such as an electrical cord or chandelier chain. The adhesive cord cover is formed from a lengthwise strip of fabric. A pressure sensitive adhesive is attached to the fabric strip, preferably along a first lengthwise edge. The pressure sensitive adhesive is positioned and configured to allow a fastening side of the pressure sensitive adhesive to be selectively adhered to the lengthwise strip of fabric to thereby form a tubular configuration for enveloping a cord. The pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably an adhesive transfer tape. The transfer tape preferably has a removable liner on the fastening side. The removable liner assists in preserving the adhesive properties of the pressure sensitive adhesive prior to use. The pressure sensitive adhesive transfer tape is preferably a continuous strip that extends substantially along the entire length of the piece of fabric.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a phase-change information recording medium, and the like, which is easy to perform initial crystallization, exhibits good recording sensitivity at a linear velocity as high as 10 double speeds or more with as much capacity as DVD-ROM, is capable of overwrite recording and has good storage reliability. For this purpose, the phase-change information recording medium comprises a substrate and at least a first protective layer, a phase-change recording layer, a second protective layer, and a reflective layer disposed on the substrate in one of this sequence and reverse sequence wherein the phase-change recording layer comprises a composition expressed by Sn?Sb?Ga?Ge?Te??X? (In this regard, X represents at lease one element selected from Ag, Zn, In and Cu. ?, ?, ?, ?, ? and ? represent composition ratio (atomic percent) of each element and are expressed as 5???25, 40???91, 2???20, 2???20, 0???10, 0???10 and ?+?+?+?+?+?=100).

Abstract: A honeycomb segment 3 includes a plurality of cells 5 functioning as fluid passages and disposed in parallel with one another in the central axis direction. Cells at four corners of both end faces of the honeycomb segment 3 are plugged with a plugging material 7. Since occurrence of chipping or a crack during handling before joining honeycomb segments can be reduced, productivity and yield of a honeycomb structure can be improved with the honeycomb segment.

Abstract: In the ceramic honeycomb structural body comprised of an assembly formed by assembling and integrating a plurality of pillar-shaped porous honeycomb ceramic members, each member comprising numbers of cells juxtaposed in parallel to the longitudinal direction and defined by cell walls, the cross section area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at each end portion of the members is made larger than that at the center portion of the member.

Abstract: Roadway and vehicular-mounted safety reflectors include a reflective field that incorporates a plurality of discrete crystals that internally reflect light and return the light in a desired directional pattern determined by the internal reflection characteristics and orientation of the crystals. The directional pattern is chosen to optimize the visibility and functionality of the reflector.

Abstract: A solvent-free filling material comprising a filler, a thermosetting resin, a curing agent, and a curing catalyst, wherein the thermosetting resin is an epoxy resin, and the curing agent is a dicyandiamide curing agent; a multilayer printed wiring board comprising a substrate, a through-hole, the filling material filling the through-hole, and a conductor layer formed on an exposed surface of the filling material in the through-hole; and a process for producing the multilayer printed wiring board.

Abstract: A carbon fiber composite material including: a thermoplastic resin; carbon nanofibers dispersed in the thermoplastic resin; and dispersing particles which promote dispersion of the carbon nanofibers in the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum conductor composite core reinforced cable and method of manufacture. The composite core comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending fibers embedded in a resin matrix. The composite core comprises the following characteristics: tensile strength ranging from about 250 to about 350 Ksi; a tensile modulus of elasticity ranging from about 12 to about 16 Msi; and a coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to about 6×10?6 cm/cm·° C. The composite core is further manufactured according to a one or more die pultrusion system, the system comprising tooling designed in accordance with the processing speed, selection of composite core fibers and resin and desired physical characteristics of the end composite core.

Abstract: Flexible and/or drawable substrates having coatings comprising a dispersion of resin coated nanoparticles are disclosed, as are laminated articles comprising such flexible and/or drawable substrates.

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A sealant, method for making the sealant, and method for applying the sealant includes a preformed at least partially hardened first quantity of sealant and a preformed at least partially unhardened second quantity of sealant. The first quantity of sealant is formed into a concave shell with an internal cavity. The second quantity of sealant is positioned within the internal cavity of the shell. The second quantity of sealant is maintained at a temperature sufficiently below the hardening temperature of the second sealant, such that said second sealant is at least partially retarded from hardening. The first and second quantities of sealant are packaged together for delivery to a substrate, such as a fastener.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an aramid filament yarn provided with a finish comprising >1.5 wt. % of an organic substance with a conductivity of >4 mS/cm, measured as a 50 wt. % finish composition in water at 20° C., having a specific electric resistance of the yarn <2.5·104 Ohm·cm, and to a method of making said yarn. Further, the invention pertains to the use of said finish for making conductive cables, particularly for making elevator cables.

Abstract: The invention provides high surface area talc compositions by a novel hybrid milling method or soaking method. The hybrid milling method comprises dry milling talc powder followed by mixing with water and wet milling to provide a nano-talc slurry with high surface area, also of the invention. The soaking method comprises dry milling talc powder followed by mixing with water and soaking the powder for a period of time to provide high surface area nano-talc slurry, also of the invention. The slurry may be dewatered and dried to provide dry nano-talc powder. The nano-talc powder provided by the invention is a novel hydrophilic talc composition also of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides gibbsite type aluminum hydroxide particles having a primary particle diameter of from 0.01 ?m to 0.3 ?m and a DOP oil absorption of from 90 mL/100 g to 300 mL/100 g.

Abstract: A touch panel having excellent durability, in which depression is scarcely generated on the surface of the touch panel by pushing the surface with a pen, and a transparent conductive film and plate useful in the touch panel are provided. The transparent conductive film comprises a first polymer film having a transparent conductive thin layer thereon and a second polymer film having a hardcoat layer thereon, the first and second polymer films being bonded each other through an adhesive layer such that a surface having no transparent conductive thin layer of the first polymer film faces a surface having no hardcoat layer of the second polymer film, wherein work of the adhesive layer in elastic deformation is not less than 60%. The transparent conductive plate is provided with the adhesive layer, the touch panel is provided with the transparent conductive film or plate as an upper or lower electrode.

Abstract: To provide a thermal spray membrane contact material, contact member and contact part and an apparatus to which they are applied, showing excellent seizure resistance and wear resistance even under high surface pressure/low speed sliding, high speed/high temperature sliding, or high surface pressure/high speed sliding.

Abstract: An organometallic complex is provided. The organometallic complex is selected from the group consisting of and wherein C is an acetyl acetone group or picolinic acid group m is 1˜3, n is 0˜3 and m+n=3, wherein D, E and G are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of H, halogen atoms, trifluoromethyl, C1-20 alkyl, C1-20 alkyl halide, C3-10 aryl and C3-20 heterocyclic ring containing O, N or S.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent material and a device using the same wherein the electroluminescent material is a charge transport indenofluorene selected from one of Formula (I) and Formula (II) wherein R and R? are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, alky, alkoxyl, alicyclic alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, and dialkylamino; m and n are numbers of 0 to 4; R1, R2, R5, and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, a substituted or unsubsituted aryl, or an heteroaryl, an alkoxy, and vinyl; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl, alkoxy, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl; and p is 1 or greater.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes at least a disk substrate, a magnetic recording layer formed with a predetermined concavo-convex pattern on the disk substrate, and a non-magnetic layer formed in concave portions of the concavo-convex pattern. Convex shapes made of a non-magnetic material are formed on the magnetic recording layer or the non-magnetic layer. Each convex shape is formed, for example, into a mountain-like shape whose upper surface width is made smaller than a width of each convex portion of the magnetic recording layer or a width of each concave portion where the non-magnetic layer 6 is formed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is composed of a nonmagnetic support provided with on one side of the support a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder, and a backing layer on the other side of the nonmagnetic support, wherein the nonmagnetic support is a polyester film having an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.40 to 0.60 dl/g, and contains fillers having filler diameters of from 10 to 500 nm at a filler density of from 1/100 to 50/100 ?m2.

Abstract: An electric system has a fuel cell for generating electric power by being supplied with a reactive gas, an electric storage device having a voltage lower than a voltage output from the fuel cell, a first power supply line connected to the fuel cell, a second power supply line connected to the electric storage device, and a first DC-to-DC converter for performing bidirectional voltage conversion between the first power supply line and the second power supply line. An inverter, a propulsive electric motor, and an air compressor are supplied with electric power from the first power supply line. An electrically operated air conditioner motor, windshield wiper motors, and power window motors, etc., which serve as a second electric accessory, are supplied with electric power from the second power supply line.

Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell power plant. The fuel cell can include a reactant passage (22) with an upstream portion and a downstream portion for providing reactant to an electrode (16, 18), at least one liquid passage (24), and a plate (20) made from a porous material that is liquid permeable and conductive. The porous material separates the reactant passage and the liquid passage. A pressure profile is controlled to provide a positive pressure difference in the upstream portion and a negative pressure difference in the downstream portion. A positive pressure difference is one where the liquid pressure is higher than that of the reactant. A negative pressure difference is one where the liquid pressure is less than that of the reactant. The pressure profile can be used to provide enhanced humidification of the reactant in the upstream portion and effective liquid water removal in the downstream portion to maximize both the performance and the life of the fuel cell.