OT: need some help with fuel cells

[Technomage-hawke]

ok,
I know some of you are engineering types.

I am starting to look at the idea of home building a fuel cell here that can 
power my machines "off the grid" if need be. I am not worried about the fuel 
source itself (hydrogen can be easily got with some solar cells, graphic 
electrodes and starage media). What I am worried about is this:

1. Building one cheaply
2. available materials (preferably from lowe's or home depot) with the 
exception of the electrolytic material and possibly the catalyst materials)
3. a method of containment (A good quality housing that will keep the 2 parts 
of the fuel seperate until introduced into the catalyzing chamber)

any other suggestions that would help.

In a way, this would be a different sort of open source project. I am not 
looking to make this proprietary and would love to have a means of backup 
power for extended periods (especially considering how expensive electricity 
and natural gas are going to get in the not too distant future).

any good ideas will help. I'd like to be able to engineer and assemble a small 
test unit in my garage with only a minimal of technical know-how (I can learn 
if I have to).

- Eric