A modular fuel cell , comprising: a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode catalyst layer , a cathode catalyst layer , and a proton exchange membrane located between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the anode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer, and the proton exchange membrane are positioned along a z-axis and are generally parallel to an x-y plane; a pair of bipolar plates comprising commonly aligned passages that extend generally parallel to the z-axis; and wherein the membrane electrode assembly has a total active area comprising a base active area configured in the x-y plane; wherein the plurality of commonly aligned passages comprise: at least one first feed passage and at least one second feed passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first feed passage; at least one first discharge passage and at least one second discharge passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first discharge passage; and at least one first coolant passage and at least second coolant passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first coolant passage; characterized in that : the total active area comprises a plurality of base active areas arranged along the x-axis of the x-y plane to form a continuous total active area; wherein the number of feed passages and discharge passages is a multiple of a total number of base active areas forming the total active area . a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode catalyst layer , a cathode catalyst layer , and a proton exchange membrane located between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the anode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer, and the proton exchange membrane are positioned along a z-axis and are generally parallel to an x-y plane; a pair of bipolar plates comprising commonly aligned passages that extend generally parallel to the z-axis; and wherein the membrane electrode assembly has a total active area comprising a base active area configured in the x-y plane; wherein the plurality of commonly aligned passages comprise: at least one first feed passage and at least one second feed passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first feed passage; at least one first discharge passage and at least one second discharge passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first discharge passage; and at least one first coolant passage and at least second coolant passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first coolant passage; at least one first feed passage and at least one second feed passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first feed passage; at least one first discharge passage and at least one second discharge passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first discharge passage; and at least one first coolant passage and at least second coolant passage aligned generally parallel to the at least one first coolant passage; the total active area comprises a plurality of base active areas arranged along the x-axis of the x-y plane to form a continuous total active area; wherein the number of feed passages and discharge passages is a multiple of a total number of base active areas forming the total active area . <EOS>