Fuel cell having a modular base active area

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 common passages that extend generally parallel to the z-axis;
• and
• wherein the membrane electrode assembly has a total active area comprising a plurality of base active areas arranged co-planar in the x-y plane along an x-axis;
• wherein the plurality of common passages comprise:
• at least one first feed passage and at least one second feed passage per base active area;
• at least one first discharge passage and at least one second discharge passage per base active area;
• at least one first coolant passage and at least one second coolant passage.