the present invention includes a fuel cell system and a method to operate a fuel cell . the fuel cell system includes a source of a fuel and water emulsion , receiving the emulsion and . a reformer for receiving the emulsion and producing hydrogen , a hydrogen - oxygen fuel cell connected to the reformer and able to receive hydrogen from the reformer . the method for operating a fuel cell system including a hydrogen gas oxygen fuel cell includes producing the hydrogen gas from a fuel and water emulsion .