NOVELTY - A bipolar plate (2) (G1) comprises a pair of plates (4, 6), where each plate has an active area (8), a header area (10), and a perimeter area (12). The perimeter area is disposed adjacent an edge (14) of the plate and each of the active area and the header area. The perimeter area of at least one of the plates includes a raised support feature (16) having an inboard side (18) and an outboard side (20). The pair of plates is joined in the perimeter area between the outboard side of the raised support feature and the edges of the plates.    USE - For a fuel cell; in a fuel cell stack (all claimed); in electric vehicles; and for the internal-combustion engine used in modern automobiles.    ADVANTAGE - The bipolar plate militates against edge deformation; and provides continuous supporting features for downstream process steps such as sealing and attaching the insulating spacer frame to the fuel cell plate.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A bipolar plate (2) (G1) comprises a pair of plates (4, 6), where each plate has an active area (8), a header area (10), and a perimeter area (12). The perimeter area is disposed adjacent an edge (14) of the plate and each of the active area and the header area. The perimeter area of at least one of the plates includes a raised support feature (16) having an inboard side (18) and an outboard side (20). The pair of plates is joined in the perimeter area between the outboard side of the raised support feature and the edges of the plates. The raised support feature includes several intermittent breaks (22); several elongate dimples formed in it; and several minor depressions on the outboard side of the raised support feature. The perimeter area of each of the plates includes several outwardly extending tabs; and several manifold apertures, a shape the inboard side of the raised support feature confirming to edge shapes of the manifold apertures adjacent the raised support feature. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a fuel cell (S1) comprising: a pair of bipolar plates (G1), and unitized electrode assembly including a subgasket and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between a pair of diffusion medium layers, and the membrane electrode assembly and the diffusion medium layers disposed between the bipolar plates;    (2) a fuel cell stack comprising several fuel cells (S1) arranged in a stack.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a top plan view of a bipolar plate.    Bipolar plate (2)    Pair of plates (4, 6)    Active area (8)    Header area (10)    Perimeter area (12)    Edge (14)    Raised support feature (16)    Inboard side (18)    Outboard side (20)    Intermittent breaks (22)