TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The active region comprises cathode gasket, cathode gas diffusion layer, catalyzed polymer electrolyte membrane, cathode gas diffusion layer, polyester film mask, anode gasket, anode microporous film layer, and anode diffusion layer, in sequence. The cathode gasket defines tie-bolt penetrations and a first penetration further defined by the cathode active region. The cathode gas diffusion layer is equivalent to the cathode active area. The anode diffusion layer and the anode microporous film layer are equivalent to the anode active area. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes tie-bolt penetrations. The polyester film mask defines tie-bolt penetrations and a second penetration smaller than the anode microporous film layer thus minimizing reactant crossover. The anode gasket defines tie-bolt penetrations and a third penetration further defined by the anode active region. The stack further comprises first endplate located on a first end of the direct methanol fuel cell and a second endplate located on a second end of the at least one direct methanol fuel cell, a first current collector located between the first endplate and the direct methanol fuel cell, and a second current collector located between the second endplate and the direct methanol fuel cell. Small depressions (75) located where the first serpentine channels intersect with the cathode manifold inlet and outlet, and where the second serpentine channels intersect with the anode manifold inlet and outlet, and a thin insert (80) of a rigid material placed within the small depressions that prevents obstruction of the first and second serpentine channels. The cathode or anode gas diffusion layer comprises a carbon cloth backing or carbon paper. The endplates material comprises carbon fiber, or resin composite. Each of cathode and anode gasket comprises polyurethane foam and polyester film. The graphite-based material plates outer edges define a pin channel, and an electrical pin is press-fit into the pin channel as a voltage tap. The apparatus further comprises a first multi-functional endplate located on a first end of the direct methanol fuel cell and/or a second multifunctional endplate located on a second end of the at least one direct methanol fuel cell. The multi-functional endplates are carbon-carbon composite material or graphite plate material. The multi-functional endplates are impregnated with a methyl methacrylate monomer. The apparatus further comprises direct methanol fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The rigid material comprises a fiber glass reinforced resin. The graphite-based material is graphite composites, impregnated pyrolyzed graphites, resin-filled graphitic paper, and/or moldable graphite composite.Preferred Parameters: The first and second serpentine channels have a width of 0.8 mm, and are separated by a rib of 0.8 mm. The serpentine channels have a depth of 0.127-1.27 mm. The first and second graphite-based material plates have a thickness of 0.381-6.35 mm. The endplates has a thickness of 2.54-25.5 mm. The cathode gasket is polyurethane foam with a thickness of 0.4 mm. The carbon paper is treated with approximately 15 wt.% perfluoropolymer. Each of the cathode and anode gasket has a thickness of 0.3 mm.