NOVELTY - A fuel cell electrically conductive element comprises a polymeric surface with a flow field, at least a part of the flow field having a permanently hydrophilic, polymer coating that is grafted to the polymeric surface.    USE - As a power source for electric vehicles and other applications.    ADVANTAGE - The coated bipolar plate is used in a separator assembly in an electrochemical fuel cell that provides integrated water management. Such water management functions include moving water away from the wet areas of the cathode side of the fuel cell, where it is generated as a product in the fuel cell electrochemical reaction; moving water away from the wet areas of the anode side of the fuel cell, where it can reside as a result of condensation of water from the reactant gas stream or by transport of product water across the MEA; preventing water build up in any curves or bends in the flow field by reducing fluid accumulation; and more fully enabling the internal transporting of water to any relatively dry areas along the cathode side. The coating reduces liquid accumulation as fluid flows through the flow field, as compared to the degree of liquid accumulation in the flow field if it were uncoated.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) the fuel cell comprising several membrane electrode assemblies in electrical series separated by an electroconductive element, the electroconductive element having a flow field in a polymeric face adjacent an electrode of a membrane electrode assembly, where at least a portion of the flow field has a grafted, permanently hydrophilic, polymer coating; and    (2) making an electrically conductive element of a fuel cell involving providing an electrically conductive element having a polymeric surface; applying a layer of monomers comprising a hydrophilic, ethylenically-unsaturated monomer to the electrically conductive element surface; and polymerizing the applied monomer layer with a plasma where the polymerized layer is grafted to the polymeric surface.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a partial, cross sectional view of a magnified portion of the bipolar plate.    bipolar plate (8)    working surface (20)    channels (131)    electroconductive material (132)    lands. (134)