In this paper, a 3-D mathematical model incorporated with Fluent computer code is described to investigate the flow and heat transfer for developing laminar flow in the micro direct methanol fuel cell (mu DMFC) with serpentine flow fields. The continuity, momentum, and energy equations are simultaneously solved by a general computational fluid dynamics code. Local, channel-mean, bended region-mean, and overall channel mean friction factors and Nusselt numbers were thus calculated and discussed. Finally, overall channel mean friction factor and Nusselt number were correlated in terms of the relevant parameters. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.