NOVELTY - The electrochemical cell for a wide variety of primary and secondary batteries/rechargeable batteries, comprises an anode, a cathode, a solid porous separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte in which the separator and the electrolyte are interposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator comprises a porous membrane having a microporous coating with a microrough surface. The coating comprises polymer particles. The internal resistivity of the cell increases to a level sufficient to safely terminate the current producing operation of the cell.    USE - Useful for primary and secondary batteries or rechargeable batteries.    ADVANTAGE - The electrochemical cell ensures the safety protection of secondary batteries through many repeated discharge and charge cycles when the anode and cathode active materials undergo many electrochemical reactions. The internal resistivity of the cell increases to a level sufficient to safely terminate the current producing operation of the cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The electrochemical cell for a wide variety of primary and secondary batteries/rechargeable batteries, comprises an anode, a cathode, a solid porous separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte in which the separator and the electrolyte are interposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator comprises a porous membrane having a microporous coating with a microrough surface. The coating comprises polymer particles, which have not coalesced to form a continuous film. The internal resistivity of the cell increases to a level sufficient to safely terminate the current producing operation of the cell. The coating is heated at 100degreesC. The non-coalesced polymer particles comprise styrenated acrylic polymer particles. The coating comprises the non-coalesced polymer particles and a colloidal metal oxide. The non-coalesced polymer particles comprise styrenated acrylic polymer particles. The porous membrane has xerogel layers, porous polyolefin layers and porous inorganic oxide layers. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method of increasing the safety of an electrochemical cell; and    (2) a separator for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell.