TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery Module: The battery module further comprises a second graphite sheet disposed on the second side of the battery cell that conducts heat energy from the battery cell into the second graphite sheet to cool the battery cell. The battery module further comprises a second cooling manifold coupled to the second graphite sheet that conducts heat energy from the second graphite sheet into the second cooling manifold, the second cooling manifold further configured to receive the fluid that flows through it to conduct heat energy from the second cooling manifold into the fluid. The first graphite sheet has a polyethylene coating on it. The first graphite sheet has a thickness of 0.5-2.0 mm. The first graphite sheet has a flat panel portion and a first extension portion extending from a first end of the flat panel portion, the first cooling manifold having a first groove configured to receive the first extension portion of the first graphite sheet in it. The first cooling manifold has a housing defining an interior region and first and second fluid ports coupled to the housing, where the first cooling manifold is constructed from at least one of aluminum, copper, silver, and gold. Preferred Battery System: The battery system of (1) further comprises a temperature sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a temperature of the battery module; and a microprocessor operably coupled to the temperature sensor, the microprocessor configured to generate a second signal to induce the compressor to pump the refrigerant into the first cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the battery module is greater than a threshold temperature level. Preferred Method: In the method for cooling a battery module, the fluid is a refrigerant, where the method further comprises generating a first signal indicative of a temperature of the battery module utilizing a temperature sensor; and generating a second signal to induce a compressor to pump the refrigerant through the first cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the battery module is greater than a threshold temperature level utilizing a microprocessor. The fluid is a coolant, where the method further comprises generating a first signal indicative of a temperature of the battery module utilizing a temperature sensor; and generating a second signal to induce a pump to pump the coolant through the first cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the battery module is greater than a threshold temperature level utilizing a microprocessor.