TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The electrode assembly is formed in the shape of a jelly roll. At least one electrode comprises a current collector with an active material layer formed on a portion of the current collector so that the current collector includes an active material region with active material and a non-active material region with no active material. The nonactive material region is formed peripherally at one side of the current collector along the length of the current collector (11a, 12b). The rigidity reinforcing member is formed on the active material layer. It is formed over at least a portion of the non-active material region of the current collector. It is further formed over at least a portion of the active material layer. The active material layer is placed on one side surface of the current collector, and the rigidity reinforcing member is formed on the opposite side surface of the current collector. The rigidity reinforcing member is a film formed separately from the electrode and attached to the electrode. The film (18) is placed on a portion of one side surface of the current collector while surrounding the leading edge of the current collector. The rigidity reinforcing member overlaps the current collector. It comprises a portion of the current collector corresponding to a leading edge of the electrode that is thicker than other portions of the electrode. It comprises an active material layer formed on the current collector corresponding to a leading edge of the electrode that is thicker than the active material layer formed on other portions of the current collector. The case is of a cylindrical shape. The battery drives a motor.Preferred Property: The film has a width of 2-15 cm. The thickness of the active material layer corresponding to the leading edge of the electrode is larger than the thickness of the active material layer formed on other portions of the current collector. Preferred Ratio: The ratio of the thickness of the active layer corresponding to the leading edge of the electrode to the thickness of the active material layer corresponding to other portions of the electrode is 1.8:1. The ratio of the coating per unit area of the active material layer corresponding to the leading edge of the electrode to the coating per unit area of the active material layer corresponding to other portions of the electrode is 1.8:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The film comprises a material from polyester, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, glass fiber, vinyl chloride, or synthetic fiber. It is attached to the electrode by an adhesive (16).