NOVELTY - A lithium ion battery cell consists of stacked cell components consisting of an elemental lithium-containing anode layer (12), a lithium ion-accepting cathode layer (14), a liquid lithium ion electrolyte (19), and a bi-layer separator (16). The separator consists of a tiered layer (15) of electrically nonconductive particles of an average size lying on the layer surface of one of the anode or cathode, within its peripheral shape, and providing many non-straight porous paths through the thickness of the layer of particles, and a layer (17) of a polymer.    USE - Cell is used for lithium ion batteries of portable consumer electronics and vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The cell consists of a porous bi-layer separator which prevents development of a direct electronic path between the anode and cathode of the battery while accommodating electrolyte solution and enabling passage of lithium ions. The separator is mechanically robust and tolerant of elevated temperatures. The two layers of separator cooperate to provide superior performance than that which may be achieved with single layer separators. The particle layer offers improved resistance to mechanical breaching of the separator, for example by dendrites, metal fines, or detached electrode particles. The polymer layer supports and retains the particle layer by improving the adhesion between coating layer and counter electrode. The flexible and compliant polymer layer is effective in accommodating volume changes occurring in the electrode as lithium is inserted into and removed from the electrode during charge-discharge cycles. The integral combination of electrode and bi-layer separator cooperates to enhance cell performance. The particle layer minimizes the extent of any dendrites which form and reduce the interfacial resistance. This extends the useful working life of the cell, improves the ability of the battery to tolerate abuse, and conveys good temperature resistance. The polymer layer provides additional electronic insulation and serves to retain the ceramic layer in intimate contact with the electrode and to suppress spalling or flaking of the ceramic layer.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A lithium ion battery cell consists of, as thin layers, stacked cell components consisting of an elemental lithium-containing anode layer, a lithium ion-accepting cathode layer, a liquid lithium ion electrolyte, and a bi-layer separator. The anode layer has an anode face and an anode peripheral shape, and is carried on an anode current collector (12a). The cathode layer has a cathode face and a cathode peripheral shape, and is carried on a cathode current collector (14a). The faces of anode and cathode face each other. The liquid lithium ion electrolyte transports lithium ions between the layer surfaces of anode and cathode. The bi-layer separator has a peripheral shape, and is integrally formed on, and attached to, one of the anode and cathode layers to separate their respective faces. The total thickness of the cell components is up to 1 mm. The separator consists of a tiered layer of equiaxed, electrically nonconductive particles of an average size lying on the layer surface of one of the anode or cathode, within its peripheral shape, and providing many non-straight porous paths through the thickness of the layer of particles, the thickness of the layer is at least equivalent to twice the average sizes of the particles, and a layer of a polymer containing pores for infiltration of the electrolyte through the polymer layer and through the tiered layer of particles for transport of lithium ions between the opposing faces of the electrodes. The thickness of the layer of particles and polymer layer cooperate to prevent penetration of the bi-layer by an electrically-conducting component extending from the anode surface to the cathode surface to form a short-circuit path in the cell. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for manufacture of anode.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows an enlarged, schematic view of a single cell, with flow of lithium ions in discharge mode.    Elemental lithium-containing anode layer (12)    Anode current collector (13a)    Lithium ion-accepting cathode layer (14)    Cathode current collector (14a)    Tiered layer (15)    Bi-layer separator (16)    Layer of polymer (17)    Liquid lithium ion electrolyte (19)