NOVELTY - Electrochemical cell comprises an electro-conductive element including an impermeable electrically conductive element having a major surface facing a cathode of membrane electrode assembly, and a porous liquid distribution media disposed along the major surface defining flow channels for transporting gas and liquid to and from the cathode; and a fluid distribution layer between the liquid distribution media and cathode.    USE - For use as power source for e.g. electric vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - Incorporation of electro-conductive element enhances liquid removal from the electrode and fluid distribution layer, and prevents flooding while facilitating greater water removal via vaporization and entrainment. The electro-conductive element enable increased mass transport of water to regions of lower liquid concentration, promoting higher fuel cell operation efficiency and lowering electrical resistance loss. The electro-conductive element provides even humidification of membrane, promoting durability and longevity of membrane.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Electrochemical cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (60) including an anode (64) and a cathode (66); an electro-conductive element (70) including an impermeable electrically conductive element (80) having a major surface facing the cathode, and a porous liquid distribution media disposed along the major surface defining flow channels for transporting gas and liquid to and from the cathode; and an electrically conductive fluid distribution layer (68) disposed between the liquid distribution media and the cathode for transporting gases and liquids between the cathode and flow channels. The fluid distribution layer and liquid distribution media are constructed and arranged to transport liquids accumulating within the cathode through the fluid distribution layer and to and through the liquid distribution media.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (a) electro-conductive element for an electrochemical fuel cell, comprising an impermeable conductive element having a major surface, and a hydrophilic conductive porous layer along the major surface to transport water from regions of high liquid concentration to regions of low liquid concentration within the layer;    (b) a method of making an electro-conductive element for an electrochemical fuel cell, by providing an impermeable conductive element having a major surface, applying a precursor of liquid distribution media to the major surface, and treating the precursor to form a hydrophilic liquid distribution media that is adhered to the major surface; and    (c) a method of distributing water within an electrochemical fuel cell, by introducing reactant gases to respective anode and cathode of MEA, conducting electrochemical reaction in the MEA to generate water on the cathode side, transporting water away from the cathode by uptake of water in a porous fluid distribution layer in contact with the cathode, transferring the transported water to a liquid distribution media contacting the fluid distribution layer, and distributing the transferred water within the liquid distribution media to wet dry areas of liquid distribution media.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell.    MEA (60)    Polymer electrolyte membrane (62)    Anode (64)    Cathode (66)    Fluid distribution layer (68)    Electro-conductive element (70)    Flow channels (72)    Lands (74)    Grooves (76)    Impermeable conductive element (80)