This paper presents analytical correlations, which predict the polarization performance and thermal effects in an intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Such correlations are useful for engineers and designers of fuel cells to expedite calculations without depending on complex computational models. Analytical results compare well with published experimental polarization data. They also indicate the temperature variations and dominant modes of heat transfer in a unit cell. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.