maybe you can see it this way as will others?
water = insulator
binder= insulator
contaminates = poor conductor
powdered stainless = poor conductor
2 plates with unfiltered water = a insulator and poor conductor between 2 plates
2 stainless plates with binder and poor conductor= a insulator and poor conductor between the 2 plates
The plate resistor is not any different then the fuel cell... Other then we can control its ratio of poor conductor to insulator (we can create a preset quality of dielectric).. It can be higher then waters quality of resistance or it can be lower
it is all depended on the ratio mixed of powdered stainless to binder..
and the configuration (dimensions, spacing)
The powdered stainless steel is just a hunch.. Stan spoke of its resistive qualities in his videos..