NOVELTY - A stack of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) comprises direct methanol fuel cell(s), a cathode manifold, an anode manifold, and tie-bolt penetrations and tie-bolts. The direct methanol fuel cell comprises a first graphite-based material plate with a cathode active area (40), a second graphite-based material plate with an anode active area, and an active region between the cathode active area and the anode active area.    USE - Used for portable power applications.    ADVANTAGE - The stack of direct methanol fuel cells exhibits a circular footprint. It has reduced fuel cell stack volume, and increased fuel cell and fuel cell stack power output and power density. It has improved dimensional tolerances, and improved flow-field designs, improved performance, and stability for operation with liquid methanol feed and non-humidified reactant air, low reactant pressure and low air-supply stoichiometry.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A stack of direct methanol fuel cells comprises direct methanol fuel cell(s) with a circular footprint, a cathode manifold within the circular footprint, anode manifold within the circular footprint, and tie-bolt penetrations and tie-bolts within the circular footprint and spaced evenly around the circumference of the circular footprint. The direct methanol fuel cell comprises a first graphite-based material plate with a cathode active area defined by first serpentine channels connecting a cathode manifold inlet (50) with a cathode manifold outlet (55), a second graphite-based material plate with an anode active area defined by second serpentine channels connecting an anode manifold inlet (60) with a anode manifold outlet (65), and an active region between the cathode active area and the anode active area. The first serpentine channels are orthogonal to the second serpentine channels.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a bipolar plate design in the fuel cell.    Bipolar plate (10)    Cathode active area (40)    Cathode manifold inlet (50)    Cathode manifold outlet (55)    Anode manifold inlet (60)    Manifold outlet (65)    Serpentine flow channel (70)    Small depressions (75)    Thin inserts (80)