Representative embodiments provide for a fuel cartridge including a film strip supporting a fuel compound. An electric heater of the fuel cartridge is configured to heat a portion of the film strip, wherein the fuel compound is configured to liberate hydrogen gas from the heated usable portion of the film strip. The fuel cartridge is configured to provide the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell by way of a fluid coupling there between. The fuel cartridge is configured to support the film strip and the electric heater in a substantially self contained arrangement. A method includes supporting a film strip including a fuel compound within a fuel cartridge, heating a portion of the film strip within the fuel cartridge, and providing hydrogen gas liberated by the heating to a fuel cell.