Abstract: A method of operating a low pressure drop fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of low pressure drop fuel cells wherein during low pressure and low power operation, a heat transfer rate of a cathode flow field plate of each fuel cell is greater than a heat transfer rate of an anode flow field plate of the same fuel cell. Thus, a temperature gradient is created between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode of each fuel cell, as well as reactant fluids in at least one anode flow field and at least one cathode flow field of the same fuel cell.