A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid streams that includes an electrolyte secured between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst; a porous anode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst; a porous wetproofed cathode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst; a porous water transport or cooler plate secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate; and, a direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate. A preferred direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate remains essentially within the water transport plate and does not poison the catalysts.