NOVELTY - An electrically conductive element for fuel cell, comprises conductive metal substrate; layer of conductive non-metallic porous media having surface facing the metal substrate; and metallized region(s) on surface of layer, each metallized region containing electrically conductive metal. The conductive metal substrate is arranged in contact with metallized regions to provide electrically conductive path between the layer and metal substrate.    USE - The electrically conductive element is used in a fuel cell (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The metallized regions improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the metal substrate and the fluid distribution media. The electrically conductive elements maintain electrical conductivity, resist the fuel cell hostile environment, and improve overall operational efficiency of a fuel cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (A) an assembly for use in a fuel cell, comprising an electrically conductive metal substrate having a major surface; a layer of electrically conductive porous fluid distribution media having a first and a second surface, where the first surface is in electrical contact with the major surface and the second surface confronts a membrane electrode assembly; and one or more metallized regions on the first and the second surfaces of the layer, each the metallized region containing an electrically conductive metal, where an electrical contact resistance across the metal substrate through the metallized regions to the layer is less than a comparative contact resistance across a similar metal substrate and a similar layer of fluid distribution media absent the metallized regions; and    (B) a method for manufacturing an electrically conductive element for a fuel cell, comprising depositing an electrically conductive metal on a surface of an electrically conductive porous media to form one or more metallized regions having an ultra-thin thickness; positioning the surface having the metallized regions adjacent to a metallic electrically conductive substrate; and contacting the substrate with the surface having the metallized regions to form an electrically conductive path between the substrate and the porous media.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a partial cross-sectional view in the direction of electrically conductive fluid distribution element useful with fuel cell stacks.    Lands (64)    Grooves (66)    Ridges (76)    Channels (78)    Apertures (88)    Inside faces (90, 92)