Review and advances of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) part I: Design, fabrication, and testing with high concentration methanol solutions

► The experimental studies on direct methanol fuel cells using high concentration methanol and pure methanol has been reviewed. ► Methanol transport, water management, oxygen transport, and carbon dioxide release in DMFCs have been analyzed. ► The improvements on DMFC design and the advances of DMFC stacks and prototype developments have been presented. ► Unresolved issues and challenges in DMFCs have been identified and reviewed.