TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrodes, separator and laminations are flat. Each inner metal layer is a metal foil having a thickness of 0.0003 - 0.005 inch. Each polymeric outer layer is a thin polymeric film having a thickness of 0.001 - 0.005 inch. Each polymeric outer layer comprises perforations aligned with respect to each other to create contact points through which current can flow from cell to cell. The metal foil and polymeric layer are bonded together with tar, epoxy, or rubber cement. The separator is porous. A conductive paste or cement is present between the metal layer and electrode. The stack of electrochemical cells is contained in a battery housing. A pressure measuring device is included in the sealed battery housing. At least one of the end cells of the stack is in contact with a metal foil contact, and the metal foil contact is electrically connected to a battery terminal. The electrochemical cells are held in compression by a gas filled bladder. The cells may include vent ports. A metal foil is placed between cells for thermal conduction, and a cell edge is extended for improved thermal contact to battery housing walls.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Each inner metal layer is made of copper, aluminum, silver, steel, lithium, nickel, and/or metal plated material. The positive electrode comprises oxygen, magnesium, nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt, silver, lithium, and/or oxide or hydroxide of nickel, manganese, copper, mercury, silver, magnesium, lithium and/or cobalt. The positive electrode may be an oxygen or a nickel electrode. The nickel electrode is pasted foam, sintered and plastic bonded nickel electrode. The negative electrode comprises cadmium, iron, zinc, silver, lithium, carbon containing lithium, and/or hydrogen. The negative electrode is nickel hydride, copper hydride, lithium hydride, and/or iron hydride electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Each polymeric outer layer is made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polysofon, and/or polyvinyl chloride.