METAL FOAM GAS DIFFUSION LAYERS WITH HYDROPHILIC SURFACES AND POLYMER-ELECTROLYTE-MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS WITH METAL FOAM GAS DIFFUSION LAYERS

A bipolar plate-gas diffusion layer (GDL) assembly for a polymer-electrolyte-membrane (PEM) fuel cell includes a flat metallic bipolar plate and a porous metal GDL with superhydrophilic surfaces adjacent to and in direct contact with the flat metallic bipolar plate. The porous metal GDL includes flow channels defined by flow channels walls with flow channel surfaces. The flow channel walls and flow channel surfaces have an average porosity generally equal to an average porosity of an interior of the porous metal GDL and the superhydrophilic surfaces provide enhanced water removal from the PEM fuel cell.