Anode-supported cone-shaped tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and segmented-in-series (SIS) SOFCs stack based on gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte film direct utilization methane as fuel are successfully developed in this study. The single cell exhibits maximum power densities of 484 mWcrn(-2) and 414 mWcm(-2) at 600 degrees C by using moist hydrogen and moist methane as fuel, respectively. A durability test of the single NiO-GDC/GDC/LSCF-GDC cell is performed at a constant current density of 0.4 Acm(-2) direct fueled with methane for about 140 h at 600 degrees C. It stabilizes with no apparent degradation during the durability test. Very little carbon is detected on the anodes, suggesting that carbon deposition is limited during cell operation. The results show that the stability and dependability of as-prepared single cell is good and it is very significant for portable application of low-temperature SOFCs (LT-SOFCs). A three-cell-stack based on the above-mentioned SOFCs is fabricated and tested by direct utilization of methane. Its typical electrochemical performance is investigated. And the stack has experienced 5 times thermal cycling test. Good thermo-mechanical properties and stability are observed and that the developed segmented-in-series LT-SOFCs stack with GDC electrolyte film is highly promising for portable application. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.