NOVELTY - A spring assembly for use with a direct oxidation fuel cell system comprises a pair of spring elements (904), each the spring element being comprised of a single sheet of metal having spaced parallel beams, each spring element also having grooves formed in it adapted to receive a fastening member (908) of a side clamp; and a pair of side clamps (906, 907), each the side clamp having at least one fastening member extending generally perpendicular to a body portion of the side clamp, and the fastening member having a curved portion (910) that engages a groove in the spring element.    USE - The spring assembly is used for securing a direct oxidation fuel cell system (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The present invention provides a fuel cell system, which allows for the MEA to maintain adequate compression without the need for heavy pins, bolts and additional compression plates or plastic frames.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A spring assembly for use with a direct oxidation fuel cell system comprises a pair of spring elements (904), each spring element being a flat spring having a curved cross section when undeformed and being substantially flat when deformed, each the spring element being comprised of a single sheet of metal having spaced parallel beams, each spring element also having one or more grooves formed in it adapted to receive a fastening member (908) of a side clamp, the spring elements being a top and bottom spring element, respectively; and a pair of side clamps (906, 907), each side clamp having a body portion adapted to be received over two opposite sides of the direct oxidation fuel cell system, each the side clamp having at least one fastening member extending generally perpendicular to a body portion of the side clamp, and the fastening member having a curved portion (910) that engages a groove in the spring element where the fastening members of the side clamps form a self-locking mechanism to compress the top and bottom spring elements in a substantially flat shape over a top and bottom of the direct oxidation fuel cell system, respectively. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are:    (1) a direct oxidation fuel cell system; and    (2) a method of securing a direct oxidation fuel cell system by forming a pair of spring elements of a single sheet of metal that is generally rectangular and is curved when uncompressed, the curve providing a free height that allows the spring element when deformed to provide a desired amount of compression for the direct oxidation fuel cell; and providing side clamps that engage the spring elements by a self locking mechanism such that the spring elements are securely fastened and compressed over a direct oxidation fuel cell system without additional bolts, pins or other fasteners.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows an isometric illustration of the monopolar stack fuel cell system and spring assembly.    First spring element (904)    First side clamp (906)    Second side clamp (907)    Fastening member (908)    Curved portion (910)