Elements of an electrochemical cell using an end to end process. The method includes depositing a planarization layer, which manufactures embedded conductors of said cell, allowing a deposited termination of optimized electrical performance and energy density. The present invention covers the technique of embedding the conductors and active layers in a planarized matrix of PML or other material, cutting them into discrete batteries, etching the planarization material to expose the current collectors and terminating them in a post vacuum deposition step.

A pressure regulating valve is attached to each of a plurality of power storage modules. The pressure regulating valve allows internal spaces of the power storage modules to be open, respectively, and has a short-circuit preventing structure for preventing an electrolytic solution coming outside of the power storage modules from causing a short circuit with another power storage module or a short circuit between other power storage modules.

The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: an integrated valve and an integrated channel communicating with the valve.

Disclosed are composite substrates and rechargeable lithium batteries. The composite substrate includes a support layer, a first metal layer on a top surface of the support layer, and a second metal layer on a bottom surface of the support layer. At least one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer includes a first region to which a tab is configured to be attached, and a second region different from the first region. A ratio of surface roughness of the first region to surface roughness of the second region is in a range of about 3.5 to about 7.