This paper reports the synthesis and the properties of microporous, ceramic-added, composite poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVdF)-based proton conducting membranes for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The favorable characteristics of these membranes are an high and stable conductivity, a proton transport mechanism not critically related to the water content, the low cost, and the low methanol crossover. Tests in a methanol-air laboratory cell demonstrate the applicability of these membranes in DMFCs. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society.