A hard disk drive comprises a sensor configured to detect a mixing ratio within the hard disk drive and a membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a gas flow path that couples an inside of the hard disk drive to an outside of the hard disk drive, and the gas flow path includes a cathode and anode that electrolytically remove water vapor from the inside of the hard disk drive. The drive further includes an energy source coupled to the membrane electrode assembly and a controller coupled to the sensor and the energy source. The controller is configured to activate the energy source in response to the sensor detecting a mixing ratio greater than a threshold mixing ratio and to deactivate the energy source in response to the sensor detecting a mixing ratio less than the threshold mixing ratio.