Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrode assembly comprising at least one pair of a wound or stacked anode and cathode a housing comprising an insulating soft flexible pouch enclosing the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly and each anode and cathode respectfully have a thickness, width and length measured parallel to a common set of orthogonal axes, wherein (i) the thickness represents the smallest dimension of each anode and cathode but represents the greatest dimension of the full electrode assembly, (ii) the width represents a maximum dimension perpendicular to the thickness, and (iii) an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness of the electrode assembly is less than 1.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery with elastically compliant housing includes a housing and at least one battery cell. The housing includes a pair of substantially rigid end plates and an elastically compliant structure joining the end plates so that the end plates are oriented in respective planes that are substantially parallel to each other and define a gap there between. Each battery cell is contained in the housing in the gap between the end plates and includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode. The elastically compliant structure joins the end plates and includes an elastic component that exhibits elastic expansion greater than 3% along an axis orthogonal to the planes in which the end plates are oriented.