TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The battery modules are bound together under external mechanical compression using metal bars (34) which are positioned along all four sides of the battery module where the bars meet to form a band around the periphery of the battery module. They are also bound prismatic metal hydride batteries. They comprise bundles of 2-15 prismatic batteries per module. The welded metal bars include three sets of bars centrally positioned between the top and bottom of the module. Each of the modules includes module spacers which hold the modules at a distance from any other modules and from a battery pack case. The electrical interconnects are braided cable interconnects which provide for high thermal dissipation and flexibility of module design configuration. The batteries include a battery case having a positive and a negative battery electrode terminal; positive electrode terminal and a negative batteryPreferred Property: The battery modules are bound together under a mechanical compression of 50-180 psi.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The braided cable electrical interconnects are made from copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni) coated Cu. The battery case is made from metal. The comb and the terminals are formed of Cu or Ni coated Cu.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The braided cable electrical interconnects are made from Cu alloy or Ni coated Cu alloy. The battery case is made from a stainless steel. The case top, case can, and annular shroud are made of 340L stainless steel. The comb and the terminals are made of Cu alloy or Ni coated Cu alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The elastomeric, dielectric seal is made of a hydrogen impermeable polysulfone material. The metal prismatic battery case is electrically insulated from the environment by a non-conductive polymer coating. The non-conductive polymer coating is a layer of electrically insulating polymer tape.