NOVELTY - The plate has distribution plates (11, 12), where the plate has a face (11l) with a channel (111) for the distribution of one of two gases used by a polymer membrane fuel cell. The plate (12) has a face (12r) with a channel (121) for the distribution of the other gas, and a face (12l) with an inner channel (122) for the circulation of a cooling fluid. Slugs (10) open onto both sides of each distribution plate in an effective area of the plate. The slugs are distributed over the entire effective area of the plate.    USE - Used for being installed between each of the elementary electrochemical cells for routing different fluids necessary for the operation of a polymer membrane fuel cell (claimed) of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle as well as for assuring an electrical function.    ADVANTAGE - The arrangement of the bipolar plate permits easy manufacture, that allows to attain high ratios of power delivered with respect to the weight and the encumbrance of the fuel cell, i.e. which allows cooling by a cooling fluid, in order to render the use of the fuel cell in the motor vehicle easier. The electrical conductivity of the distribution plates is ensured by a sufficient numbers of slugs. The plate enables to carry out a large number of drillings on the surface of the distribution plates without crossing the gas distribution channels or the inner cooling fluid circulation channel. The section of each drilling can for example be about 1 square millimeter so that the cumulated section of the slugs permits to pass high service currents such as those that are developed in a fuel cell. The distribution plates can be joined together by collage, then by a forcible fitting of the slugs, in order to ensure better sealing between the distribution channels and with respect to the inner channel, and between the faces of one distribution plate so that the gases do not mix. The basic constitutive material of each plate can be chosen as a material presenting mechanical characteristics sufficient to allow not only the transmission of the service load for the fuel cell, but also the automation of the manufacture of the bipolar plate. The rigidity of the constitutive material of the plates requires fewer precautions, and the realization of automatic manufacture is simpler, robust and economical.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The bipolar plate is formed from a structural support with a chemically-inert, non-electrically-conducting surface.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows an exploded view of the components of a bipolar plate.    Slugs (10)    Distribution plates (11, 12)    Faces (11l, 12l, 12r)    Distribution channels (111, 121)    Inner channel (122)