NOVELTY - The fuel cell comprises an ion conducting component, electrode coatings (286, 288), and interconnects (284). The interconnects include a non-conductive interface region having a first surface and a second surface in which the first surface is present in contact with the ion conducting component, and an electron conducting component having two surfaces and a length that is parallel to the two surfaces. One of the surfaces is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the interface region. The electron conducting component provides an electrically conductive pathway.    USE - The fuel cell is useful as a power supply for large-scale applications including materials handling such as forklifts, transportation such as electric and hybrid vehicles and off-grid power supply for emergency power supply or telecommunications, and for portable consumer applications such as notebook computers, cellular telephones and personal digital assistants.    ADVANTAGE - The fuel cell has long lifetime, high electrical conductivity and flexibility, good electrical contact and increased corrosion resistance, prevents leakage of fuel and oxidant, and reduces the potential for contamination with corrosion products.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The fuel cell comprises an ion conducting component, electrode coatings (286, 288), and interconnects (284). The interconnects include a non-conductive interface region having a first surface and a second surface in which the first surface is present in contact with the ion conducting component, and an electron conducting component having two surfaces and a length that is parallel to the two surfaces. One of the surfaces is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the interface region. The electron conducting component provides an electrically conductive pathway between the electrode coatings and/or an external circuit, and comprises a first electron conducting region (283) including a first electrically conductive material, two second electron conducting regions (285) including a second electrically conductive material, and a third electron conducting region that includes the first electrically conductive material. The conductive pathway extends along the length of the electron conducting component. The first and second electron conducting regions are defined between two surfaces parallel to the length of the electron conducting component. The second electrically conductive material is corrosion-resistant. The conductivity of the first electrically conductive material is greater than the conductivity of the second electrically conductive material. The first electrically conductive material consists of a metal and/or a metal alloy. The electron conducting component and the interface region are bonded together to form a composite. The first electron conducting region is disposed on a first side of the second electron conducting region, and is wider than the third electron conducting region. The third electron conducting region is disposed on a second side of the second electron conducting region. The first and second sides of the second electron conducting region are opposite relative to one another. The first and third electron conducting regions are the same width. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a fuel cell layer; and    (2) a method of making an interconnect sheet for a planar fuel cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell system.    Fuel cell layer (282)    First conducting region (283)    Interconnect (284)    Second conducting region (285)    Electrode coatings (286, 288)    Fuel distribution manifold. (290)