NOVELTY - A MEA (702) is sandwiched between an anode plate (710) and a cathode plate (716). One or both of the anode and cathode plates has a first flow field (712) on a side facing the MEA and a second flow field (718) on a side facing away from the MEA. First flow field is of a first uniform depth while the second flow field is of a second uniform depth. One of the cathode and anode plates is thicker than the other. Second flow fields carry coolant between adjacent plate assemblies of the two or more plate assemblies.    USE - PEM fuel cell stack for applications requiring high power densities and compact, lightweight packaging. Uses include but are not limited to electric vehicle drive power, portable generators, vehicle power generators.    ADVANTAGE - Minimizes total volume of the fuel cell assembly by not requiring seals for dedicated hardware voids. Minimizes length and complexity of gas lines routed to the fuel cell system since gas ports are placed on one side of the fuel cell system. Coolant supply and return lines are connected on single side of fuel cell system since coolant is routed through the stack assembly, compression plate and coolant manifold. Minimizes shunting effects caused by liquid flowing between two closely proximate conductors having high difference of electrical potential since there is no fluid directly connecting between the adjacent edges of collector plates by having the coolant only flow through the coupling plate and not through the collectors. Ensures minimal risk in the fluid transfer passages having short fluid coupling path between the collectors since anode and cathode flows are both primarily gaseous. Prevents inadvertent gas leaks that are caused by somebody unknowingly loosening the compression hardware from the outside of fuel cell and thereby causing gas or fluid leak by preventing immediate access to the compression hardware by the cooling manifold and anode gas manifold since nuts and inserts that retain the compression hardware are not accessible from the exterior of fuel cell system. Reduces manufacturing costs of the plate since plate only needs flow field features formed on the side of plate that faces the MEA.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of manufacturing a PEM fuel cell bipolar plate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross sectional view of the features of plate assemblies used in MEA stacks.    MEA (702)    Anode plate (710)    First flow field (712)    Cathode plate (716)    Second flow field (718)