NOVELTY - The flow field plate comprises a metal plate (12) having a first surface and a second surface, an amorphous and crystalline carbon layer (50) disposed over a portion of the metal plate, and a silicon oxide layer (52) disposed over a portion of the carbon layer to form a silicon oxide/carbon bilayer (54). The first and second surfaces of the metal plate define first channels (20) and second channels (36) for directing flow of a first gaseous composition and a second gaseous composition respectively. The silicon oxide-coated carbon bilayer has a surface with a contact angle of less than 40 degrees .    USE - The flow field plate is useful for fuel cell, which is useful as an electrical power source in automobiles to replace internal combustion engines.    ADVANTAGE - The flow field plate can be economically manufactured with increased corrosion resistance, reduced contact resistance and low contact angle.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The flow field plate comprises a metal plate (12) having a first surface and a second surface, an amorphous and crystalline carbon layer (50) disposed over a portion of the metal plate, and a silicon oxide layer (52) disposed over a portion of the carbon layer to form a silicon oxide/carbon bilayer (54). The first and second surfaces of the metal plate define first channels (20) and second channels (36) for directing flow of a first gaseous composition and a second gaseous composition respectively. The silicon oxide-coated carbon bilayer has a surface with a contact angle of less than 40 degrees . A contact resistance of the field plate is less than 40 mohm-cm2, when the flow field plate is sandwiched between carbon papers at 200 psi. The silicon oxide layer is selectively deposited on walls of the channels, and includes hydrocarbons in an amount of less than 20 wt.% of the total weight of the silicon oxide layer. Additional silicon oxide/carbon bilayers are disposed over a portion of the silicone oxide/carbon bilayer. The carbon layer has an activated surface including an average of 5 pores per cm2, and a surface roughness average of 200-1000 nm. The second surface is a second non-crystalline carbon layer. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a fuel cell; and    (2) a method of making a flow field plate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a cross sectional view of a fuel cell incorporating a silicon oxide/carbon bilayer on a bipolar plate.    Metal plate (12)    First channel (20)    Second channel (36)    Carbon layer (50)    Silicon oxide layer (52)    Silicon oxide/carbon bilayer. (54)