Here we introduce an improved activation process using a three-step method in conjunction with a cooling-after-a-stop technique for proton exchange membranes. Detail information and rationale for each step is presented along with intermediate results. By carefully optimizing the operation temperature of each step of the activation procedure, the performance of a newly fabricated fuel cell can be increased and the variability decreased. In addition, we show that the cooling-after-a-stop technique can stabilize and improve fuel cell performance. The improved three-step method results in a maximal current density of 1008 mA cm(-2), an increase of 14.5%, compared to the 880 mA cm(-2) achieved by the one-step method. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.