Proton exchange membrane fuel cell

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:

• a proton exchange membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides;
• and
• a pair of porous, electrically and thermally conductive ceramic gas diffusion layers individually juxtaposed relative to the anode and cathode sides respectively, and wherein the respective ceramic gas diffusion layers retain an operatively effective amount of liquid water which is generated as a byproduct of the operation of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell so as to render the proton exchange membrane fuel cell substantially self-humidifying.