Provided is a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack, comprising a first bipolar plate, a second bipolar plate, an electrochemical package comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode, an anode compartment disposed between the first bipolar plate and the anode, the anode compartment comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a cathode compartment disposed between the second bipolar plate and the cathode, the cathode compartment comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the geometric area of the anode compartment is larger than the geometric area of the anode. Also provided is a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack, comprising a first bipolar plate, a second bipolar plate, an electrochemical package comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode, an anode compartment disposed between the first bipolar plate and the anode, the anode compartment comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a cathode compartment disposed between the second bipolar plate and the cathode, the cathode compartment comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the geometric area of the cathode compartment is larger than the geometric area of the cathode.