NOVELTY - Method for manufacturing electrode grid (18) involves: forming a series of channels within active material (20) retaining segment (22); providing active material retaining segment to a mold; providing a molten conductive material (26) to mold, causing the material to flow into channels; and allowing molten conductive material to solidify, to form electrode grid comprised of active material retaining segment and solidified conductive material.    USE - For manufacturing electrode grid, useful for battery (claimed) e.g. lead-acid battery, which is useful in automobiles and construction equipment.    ADVANTAGE - The electrode grids are suitable for use in battery for supplying significant amounts of current such as battery used to start vehicle, and employs more conductive material to conduct more current from active material to terminals of battery, in which conductive material is strategically placed for reinforcement of electrode grid e.g. near tab and/or at corners of active material retaining segment, where segments and/or mold include feature(s) to prolong molten state of molten conductive material by enabling better flow in and through mold by increasing flow time of material before cooling and solidifying. In electrode grid, conductive material is deposited within channels forming conductive strands (e.g. wires), where material is configured in arrangement for making electrical contact with segments, such as conductive straight or curved strands configured to radiate outwardly from conductive tab. Alternatively, conductive material can be formed as border around perimeter or outer edge of segment, which decreases flexibility of segment, protects segment formed of brittle carbon foam or graphite foam, and/or further enhances collection of electrical current from electrode grid; can be formed as border that extends across entire thickness of segment over substantially full perimeter of segment; or as border extending partially and completely across thickness of segment to form thinner and thicker sections, where thicker sections are disposed at locations such as corners and/or near tab to provide reinforcement, and thickness of border and extent to which border includes thicker or thinner sections controls weight, electrical conductivity, structural support, and resistance to physical damage. The border extending around perimeter of electrode grid both at top and bottom of grid facilitates manufacturing of grid from two completely separate active material retaining segments. The conductive strand can extend diagonally from electrically conductive tab on one side of electrode grid to opposite side of electrode grid, which maximizes surface area of conductive material, than transverse or longitudinal conductive strand, and also allows for bonding greater than or equal to 2 segments with single diagonal strand. The conductive strand also includes groove in it, which can be molded into conductive strand to improve strength and stiffness, and also to reduce weight, by using less of conductive material. Further, materials with high thermal conductivity can be provided with segments and/or within mold e.g. copper wire form that provides better flow of molten conductive material through channels by heating quickly and slowing cooling of molten conductive material. The wire form provides high conductivity, and suitable ductility, and when not completely embedded in conductive material provides resistance to chemical environment within battery. Additionally, pressure of 50-100 psi is applied to molten conductive material once within mold, which allows molten material to fill mold and any recesses of mold not occupied by segment more quickly by prolonging molten state; and also forces molten conductive material into interstices, such as channels in segments. The electrode grid further increases electrically conductive points formed by molten lead flowing into pores associated with carbon foam and/or graphite foam segments. This increase in surface area allows electrical current to travel multiple paths associated with electrode grid.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Method for manufacturing electrode grid (18) involves: forming a series of channels within active material (20) retaining segment (22); providing active material retaining segment to a mold; providing a molten conductive material (26) to mold, causing the material to flow into channels; and allowing molten conductive material to solidify, to form electrode grid comprised of active material retaining segment and solidified conductive material. A pressure of 50-150 psi is applied within mold after providing molten conductive material. The conductive material forms border at least partially surrounding perimeter of at least one active material retaining segment, and extending at least partially across thickness of at least one active material retaining segment, in which at least a portion of the border extends completely across thickness of at least one active material retaining segment; or conductive material forms conductive strand including groove formed in it. The channel(s) include several channels radiating outwardly from conductive tab of electrode grid. The method further involves crushing wire form into active material retaining segment prior to providing molten conductive material to mold, or incorporating at least one material with high thermal conductivity into mold to increase flow time for molten conductive material before conductive material cools and solidifies; and coating electrode grid with active material to form electrode plate (16). INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) electrode grid for battery comprising: active material retaining segment(s) including channel(s), in which at least one segment is formed of carbon foam and/or graphite foam; and conductive material deposited within channel(s);    (2) electrode plate comprising: the electrode grid; and further additional active material retaining segment(s), where conductive material is in contact with greater than or equal to 2 segments, and substantially bonds segments to one another; and active material disposed on greater than or equal to 2 segments; and    (3) battery comprising: case; electrolyte; and electrode plate comprising greater than or equal to 2 active material retaining segments each including carbon foam core having channel(s), and conductive material in contact with greater than or equal to 2 segments, substantially bonding segments to one another, where conductive material is deposited within channel(s); and active material disposed on greater than or equal to 2 segments.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows electrode plate comprising the electrode grid.    Electrode plate (16)    Electrode grid (18)    Active material (20)    Active material retaining segments (22)    Conductive material (26)    Diagonally extending conductive strand (28)    Electrically conductive tab (36)