PEM/SPE fuel cell

In a Proton Exchange Membrane/Solid Polymer Electrolyte (PEM/SPE) fuel cell having at least one cell comprising a pair of opposite polarity electrodes each having a first face for exposure to a gaseous reactant, a membrane electrolyte bonded to and interjacent said electrodes for conducting protons between said electrodes when discharging said cell, and an electrically conductive contact element having a second face engaging a said first face for conducting electrical current from said electrode through said first face, said second face comprising a plurality of lands engaging said first face and defining a plurality of grooves therebetween for distributing a gaseous reactant substantially uniformly across said first face, the improvement comprising a plurality of electrically conductive filaments embedded longitudinally in said first face, said filaments extending across a plurality of said lands in a direction transverse said lands and grooves.