NOVELTY - A plate (I) is used in a fuel cell assembly for conducting current and/or distributing fluid. The plate comprises a substrate with a coating of an electrocatalytically-active material comprising ruthenium oxide.    USE - None given.    ADVANTAGE - The electrocatalytically-active material increase the electrical conductivity of the fuel cell plates. High electrical conductivity and high operational fuel cell efficiency can be achieved at relatively low cost.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (a) a plate forming part of a proton-exchange membrane, phosphoric acid or direct methanol fuel assembly for conducting current and/or distributing fluid. The plate comprises a substrate with a coating of an electrocatalytically-active material comprising a mixture of ruthenium or its oxide and a metal or oxide of a metal selected from tin, iron, cobalt, nickel, or osmium preferably tin; and    (b) a plate for use in a fuel cell assembly for conducting current and/or distributing fluid. The plate comprises a substrate with a coating of an electrocatalytically-active material comprising a nickel/cobalt spinel;    (c) a fuel cell assembly or stack comprising: a number of cell units; and at least one plate defined as (I);    (d) a fuel cell stack comprising: a number of fuel cell units each comprising an anode, a cathode (3, 4) and ion exchange membrane (1, 2) between the anode and cathode, a number of bipolar (5) or separator plates between the anode of one unit and the cathode of an adjacent unit, and end and/or current-collecting plates associated with the stack. At least one of the end and/or current collecting plates and/or at least one of the bipolar or separator plates is defined as (I); and    (e) a fuel cell stack comprising: a number of fuel units each containing a proton-exchange membrane separating the cell into anolyte and catholyte chambers and provided with an anode and cathode on opposite sides; a separator or bipolar plate between adjacent cell units; end and/or current-collecting plates associated with the stack; a device for feeding hydrogen fuel to the anolyte chambers; and a device for feeding oxygen-containing gas to the catholyte chambers. At least one end and/or current-collecting plate and/or at least one separator plate is defined as (I).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell stack of the ion exchange membrane type.    Membranes (1, 2)    Cathodes (3, 4)    Bipolar plate (5)    Surface features (6)    Terminal plates (7, 8)    Tabs (9, 10)    Oxidant gas chambers (11, 13)    Fuel gas chambers (12, 14)    Conduits (15, 16, 17, 18)    Openings (19, 20, 21, 22)