TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The electrically conductive substrate is formed to be a bipolar plate in an electrochemical cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The surface is treated by introducing an acidic agent comprising a halogen to remove oxides from the surface. The applying is by spraying the surface with the treatment solution. The rinsing is performed by first rinsing with a first acidic rinse solution and then by rinsing with a second rinse solution comprising de-ionized water. Prior to the applying, a cleaning of the surface is conducted to remove loosely adhered contaminants. The cleaning comprises applying an alkaline cleaning solution for cleaning at least one contaminant from oils, grease, waxy solids, metallic particles, carbon particles, dust, dirt, silica, and/or scale. The applying is conducted for 3-600 seconds. The acidic treatment solution has a pH of 0-4.Preferred Component: The acidic treatment solution comprises an anion of fluorine (F-), chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulfate, and/or nitrate. The acidic treatment solution comprises hydrofluoric acid, where the anion is F-, and a solvent comprising water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The electrically conductive substrate comprises stainless steel. Preferred Property: The contact resistance is less than or equal to 5 mOmega-cm2 under a compressive force of 2700 kPa.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The surface is treated by introducing an acidic agent comprising a halogen to remove oxides from the surface. The applying is by spraying the surface with the treatment solution. The rinsing is performed by first rinsing with a first acidic rinse solution and then by rinsing with a second rinse solution comprising de-ionized water. Prior to the applying, a cleaning of the surface is conducted to remove loosely adhered contaminants. The cleaning comprises applying an alkaline cleaning solution for cleaning at least one contaminant from oils, grease, waxy solids, metallic particles, carbon particles, dust, dirt, silica, and/or scale. The applying is conducted for 3-600 seconds. The acidic treatment solution has a pH of 0-4.Preferred Component: The acidic treatment solution comprises an anion of fluorine (F-), chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulfate, and/or nitrate. The acidic treatment solution comprises hydrofluoric acid, where the anion is F-, and a solvent comprising water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrically conductive corrosion resistant coating comprises an organic polymer. The electrically conductive corrosion resistant coating comprises a polymeric matrix comprising an organic polymer and conductive particles.