Abstract: In an electrochemical cell, such as a fuel cell, the gas distribution layer, which is the layer of material disposed directly behind and contiguous with the catalyst layer, is made from gas porous open cell carbon foam. Vitreous carbon foam is preferred. Vitreous carbon foam is extremely corrision resistant to many of the very reactive chemicals which might be used as an electrolyte in a fuel cell, such as phosphoric acid. It also has low electrical resistivity, good thermal conductivity, and can be made very thin and inexpensively. Preferably the cell catalyst layer is applied directly to one surface of the foam layer.