In a fuel cell assembly (100, 200), a diffusion layer (113, 114, 201)
comprises an electroconductive film (133, 133a, 133b) formed integrally
with a separator (115, 116, 115a) so as to form a unitary
separator-diffusion layer assembly (130, 131, 130a, 203). The
electroconductive film of the diffusion layer can be formed on the
separator by a process comprising physical vapor deposition, chemical
vapor deposition, spin coating, sputtering or screen printing.