This article investigates the performance of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a novel wavelike gas flow channel. Numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of the wavelike channel profile on the gas flow characteristics, temperature distribution, electrochemical reaction efficiency, and electrical performance. The simulation results show that compared to a conventional straight gas flow channel, the wavelike channel increases the fuel flow velocity, enhances the transport through the porous layer, and improves the temperature distribution. As a result, the PEMFC has improved fuel utilization efficiency and superior heat-transfer characteristics. Furthermore, the results show that the wavelike gas flow channel yields a higher PEMFC output voltage and improves the maximum power density by approximately 32.5%. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 1440-1448, 2009