A method is provided for treating electrocatalyst particles and using the treated electrocatalyst for improving performance in an electrochemical fuel cell. The curve can then be used to compensate. Additional embodiments can include liquid droplets within the space to initiate plasma discharges. The inverse of the transfer function of the transmission medium is calculated based on the data sequence as transmitted to the terminal, and the data sequence as received from the terminal. The invention may also be adapted to an LCD display timepiece.