Gas channel forming member for fuel cells, and fuel cell

A gas channel forming member for a fuel cell having a separator and a membrane electrode assembly configured by holding a polymer electrolyte membrane between a pair of electrode catalyst layers, wherein the gas channel forming member is arranged between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator, the gas channel forming member comprising:

• a plurality of gas channels, which is formed on a surface facing the membrane electrode assembly;
• a plurality of water channels, which is formed on a surface facing the separator and, wherein each water channel has an outlet section;
• and
• a communication passage for allowing the gas channels and the water channels to communicate with each other, wherein
• fuel gas or oxidant gas flows through the gas channels,
• the water channels discharge generated water,
• the gas channels are arranged in parallel on the surface of the gas channel forming member facing the membrane electrode assembly,
• the water channels are arranged in parallel on the surface of the gas channel forming member facing the separator, the water channels are each arranged between an adjacent pair of the gas channels and extending linearly,
• each water channel has an upstream section, which is adjacent to the outlet section at an upstream side in a flow direction of the gas with the communication passage in between,
• each outlet section includes an outlet opening, and
• the flow cross-sectional area of each outlet opening is greater than the flow cross-sectional area of the upstream section.