Fabrication and performance evaluation for a novel small planar passive direct methanol fuel cell stack

► Potential operating performances are evaluated with a small passive DMFC stack. ► Combined with a DC-DC convertor, the stack realized constant voltage output. ► Combined with super capacitor, the stack provided a large current pulse discharge. ► Reproducible operation of about 300 h was evaluated with five times refueling. ► Methanol crossover caused the fuel cell performance degradation.