A low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate miniature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprising: - at least one anode module; - at least one cathode module; - a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between said anode module and said cathode module; characterized in that each of said anode module and said cathode module comprise the following low temperature co-fired ceramic layers: - at least one first layer in contact with said membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and having a cavity formed thereon, wherein: a wall of said cavity is coated with a catalyst for electrochemical reaction; said cavity thickness is lower than the thickness of said Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) to avail compression of the Membrane Electrode Assembly; - at least one second layer in contact with said first layer and having a gas manifold comprising at least one channel formed thereon for effective distribution of gaseous fuel and oxidant in the cell; - at least one third layer in contact with said second layer for supporting said gas manifold formed in said second layer; - at least one fourth layer in physical and thermal contact with said third layer, said fourth layer comprising a resistive heating element and a temperature sensor in the form of a thermistor configured thereon; and - at least one fifth layer in contact with said fourth layer, said fifth layer separating said fourth layer from the ambient environment; electrical connections formed through vias extending inwardly through each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth layers for configuring an electrical path from said membrane electrode assembly to said fifth layer for facilitating flow of current from said membrane to an output load; at least one inlet conduit formed through said layers to facilitate supply of fuel gas to said second layer; and at least one outlet conduit formed through said layers to facilitate removal of reaction products from said cavity. - at least one anode module; - at least one cathode module; - a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between said anode module and said cathode module; - at least one first layer in contact with said membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and having a cavity formed thereon, wherein: a wall of said cavity is coated with a catalyst for electrochemical reaction; said cavity thickness is lower than the thickness of said Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) to avail compression of the Membrane Electrode Assembly; a wall of said cavity is coated with a catalyst for electrochemical reaction; said cavity thickness is lower than the thickness of said Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) to avail compression of the Membrane Electrode Assembly; - at least one second layer in contact with said first layer and having a gas manifold comprising at least one channel formed thereon for effective distribution of gaseous fuel and oxidant in the cell; - at least one third layer in contact with said second layer for supporting said gas manifold formed in said second layer; - at least one fourth layer in physical and thermal contact with said third layer, said fourth layer comprising a resistive heating element and a temperature sensor in the form of a thermistor configured thereon; and - at least one fifth layer in contact with said fourth layer, said fifth layer separating said fourth layer from the ambient environment; electrical connections formed through vias extending inwardly through each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth layers for configuring an electrical path from said membrane electrode assembly to said fifth layer for facilitating flow of current from said membrane to an output load; at least one inlet conduit formed through said layers to facilitate supply of fuel gas to said second layer; and at least one outlet conduit formed through said layers to facilitate removal of reaction products from said cavity. <EOS>