NOVELTY - The electrochemical cell (10) has a controller coupled to the electrode bodies (12a-12d) of a fuel electrode. The controller applies electrical current between charging electrode (70) and at least one of the permeable electrode bodies, such that reducible metal fuel ions in ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on permeable electrode body. The controller selectively applies electrical current to a different number of permeable electrode bodies based on input parameter to adjust rate and density of growth of electrodeposited metal fuel.    USE - Electrochemical cell used in rechargeable electrochemical cell system. Can be used in e.g. electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - Provides a more efficient and effective architecture for recharging and discharging electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Provides channels which are designed with a length for providing increased ionic resistance between cells that are fluidly connected in series. Ensures faster, but less dense, progressive growth emanating from one terminal to provide more density of the electrodeposited fuel, which may be amenable to certain re-charging needs. Creates an ionic resistance between the pair of fluidly connected cells that is greater than the ionic resistance within an individual cell, thus reducing or minimizing internal ionic resistance loss of the stack of cells. Includes a bypass switch for bypassing a cell to provide an option to increase reliability and performance of the stack of cells. Ensures enhances growth on the electrode having cathodic potential since the electrode having anodic potential can be adjacent to the electrode having cathodic potential. Delays shorting between the anodic and cathodic bodies, which takes place when the density has increased further to provide dendrites of sufficient cross-sectional area to enable the current conduction without disruption. Ensures current-resistance (IR) efficiency advantage resulting from less distance between anodic and cathodic electrodes, where metallic growth is occurring between the electrodes, such as a metal hydride fuel where the hydrogen ions are being reduced.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The permeable electrode bodies of the fuel electrode are arranged in spaced apart relation. An oxidant electrode (14) is spaced apart from the fuel electrode. The charging electrode is selected from the group consisting of an oxidant electrode, a third electrode spaced from the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode, and a portion of the fuel electrode. The ionically conductive medium is in contact with the electrodes. The charging electrode functions as anode and one permeable electrode body functions as cathode when the controller applies electrical current between the charging electrode and one permeable electrode body. The electrodeposition causes growth of metal fuel among the permeable bodies with the electrodeposited metal fuel establishing an electrical connection between the permeable electrode bodies. Each permeable electrode body functions as cathode when electrical current is selectively applied to a different number of permeable electrode bodies. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for the electrochemical cell recharging method.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows the cross-sectional view of an electrochemical cell system that includes two electrochemical cells.    Electrochemical cell (10)    Electrode bodies (12a-12d)    Oxidant electrode (14)    Spacers (40)    Charging electrode (70)