Patent Publication Number: US-2021167349-A1

Title: Batteries and Methods of Using and Making the Same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to a battery, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to a battery with one or more cells provided with an anode current collector. 
     The technical field of the disclosure is primary lithium batteries. The term “primary” can denote a non-rechargeable electrochemical cell, in contrast to the term “secondary” which can denote a rechargeable electrochemical cell. A battery may include one or more cells. 
     Primary lithium batteries may include those having metallic lithium anode, pairing with various cathodes, including Li/CF x , Li/MnO 2 , Li/SVO, Li/Hybrid, Li/SOCl 2 . During the discharge of such a battery, the oxidation of the lithium metal to lithium ions may take place at the anode according to the following reaction: 
       Li→Li +   +e  
 
     At the cathode, the reduction of the oxidizing substance can take place. In the case where the oxidizing agent is CFx, the reduction reaction may be as follows: 
       CF x   +e+x Li + −C+ x LiF
 
     During discharge, the oxidation of the lithium metal to lithium ions occurs at the anode, and the lithium ions leave anode surface and migrate into porous cathode. At the cathode during discharge, the insertion of lithium into CF x  takes place, producing insoluble lithium fluoride and graphite (an electronic conductor). 
     Primary cells may be constructed with a spirally wound assembly of an anode. In such arrangement, the anode can be constituted with a laminated current collector strip on a lithium foil. The current collector can be a copper strip. The cell negative terminal tab may be connected to the lithium foil and copper strip. 
     However, there are various problems associated with the above described and other known technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure provides a cell that may comprise (1) a housing; (2) an anode current collector, in the housing, including a first connection, and the anode current collector including a first plate with perforations and a second plate with perforations, the anode current collector further including a tab that connects the first plate and the second plate; (3) a cathode current collector, in the housing, including a second connection; (4) a first anode, in the housing, provided between the cathode current collector and the first plate; (5) a second anode, in the housing, provided between the cathode current collector and the second plate; and (6) a cathode, in the housing, provided adjacent to the cathode current collector. The disclosure may also provide systems and methods of making such a cell. 
     Various further aspects and features of the disclosure are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an electrochemical cell with detail of an anode current collector  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an electrochemical cell the same as or similar to the cell  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view, along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , of an electrochemical cell the same as or similar to the cell of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the anode current collector to which can be attached two lithium coupons (or anodes), in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an example of an anode current collector (in a flat form), in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the anode current collector and two lithium coupons (i.e. anodes), in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a header assembly of a battery showing details of the cell of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view, along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 , of a header assembly the same as or similar to the header assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a header assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of a header assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a header assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various drawing figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of primary batteries such as batteries for implantable medical devices. More particularly, for example, the present disclosure relates to lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CF x ) batteries for use in an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) device or other implantable medical products. 
     As described herein, there are various problems with known technology relating to batteries. 
     One problem is that discharge efficiency may be low for the metallic lithium anode of the electrochemical cells described above. At the end of the discharge of an Li/CF x  or Li/MnO 2  cell, undischarged lithium zones may appear on the anode. The quantity of residual metallic lithium, especially at low discharge rates, is significant since it can be up to 25% of the quantity of lithium for a cell in the undischarged state. An increase in the width of the current collector may help solve the problem. However, the wider current collector then masks too large a part of the electrochemically active area of the lithium. Thus, a simple increase in collector width is not a sufficient solution. 
     An optimized current collector for a primary lithium electrochemical cell is therefore sought, having a quantity of residual lithium less than those of the prior art. The reduction in the quantity of residual lithium at the end of discharge will result in an increase in the discharge capacity, and thus the energy density, of the electrochemical cell. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,615 describes a primary battery of Li/SO 2  type, in which the anode is composed of a lithium foil laminated with a copper strip current collector. The ratio of the surface area of the copper strip to the surface area of the metallic lithium foil is from 0.02 to 0.25. A copper wire can replace the copper strip to serve the same function. This assembly is directed to providing a primary lithium battery having increased safety in the case of forced discharge. 
     JP 2017152243 discloses that perforated plates are used as positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. 
     Information on perforated current collector foils for Li-ion batteries is published on Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT website at www.ilt.fraunhofer.de. 
     The present disclosure pertains to an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy to electrical energy. A battery, in accordance with one or more embodiments, may include one or more electrochemical cells of the disclosure, which may be electrically connected or wired to each other, and to respective exterior connections. Specifically, the disclosure pertains to an electrochemical cell having a cathode, stable electrolyte, a separator and a lithium anode on a perforated metallic current collector. The anode current collector design is a notable aspect of this disclosure, which provides an implantable electrochemical cell having high utilization of lithium anode material—and consequently high specific energy. The cell is useful in implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) devices, other implantable medical products, and other devices. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an electrochemical cell  10  with detail of an anode current collector  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. The cell  10  includes a housing or case  500  and a header assembly  700 . The housing  500  in conjunction with the header assembly  700  contains various components as described in detail below. In particular, the cell  10  includes an anode current collector  100 , as described in detail below. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an electrochemical cell  10  the same as or similar to the cell  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cell  10  includes at least one anode  200  (as shown two anodes  200 ) and an anode current collector  100 . The anode  200  may comprise one, two or more metallic lithium coupons  200 , pressed onto the current collector  100 . The (a) anodes  200 , which may be constituted by lithium coupons, and (b) anode current collector  100  can collectively be characterized as an anode/anode current collector assembly  101  or lithium coupon/anode current collector assembly  101 , or simply characterized as an anode assembly  101  as shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, and further described below. 
     Relatedly, the cathode current collector  400  and the one or more cathode/cathode pellets  300  can be characterized as a cathode assembly  401 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The anode current collector  100  may be constructed of material such as stainless steel or copper, for example. The current collector  100 , as also shown in  FIG. 4 , is perforated  121  in accordance with one or more embodiments. The perforations  121  may be diamond shape, circular shape, rectangular shape, square shape and/or other shapes. The ratio of perforated area to the total area of the collector (excluding the central folding and tabbing area) may be about 0.6, for example, in accordance with one or more embodiments, and as otherwise described herein. The thickness of the current collector  100  may be about 0.050 mm. An alignment feature  110 ,  111  may be provided in the center of the current collector  100  that facilitates proper anode to current collector alignment and proper anode current collector folding, which may be key steps in cell construction. The electrochemical cell of  FIG. 2  includes two lithium coupons, i.e. anodes,  200  and one folded anode current collector  100 . The perforations  121  in a particular anode current collector  100  may be of different shape, such as some perforations having a diamond shape and some perforations having a rectangular shape, for example. 
     Such electrodes, i.e. the lithium coupons  200 , may be advantageously used as the anode of a primary lithium electrochemical cell, for example of various cathode types such as the Li/CF x  type with x comprised between 0.6 and 1.2, the Li/MnO 2  type, or the Li/SVO type (where SVO is silver vanadium oxide), in order to reduce the quantity of undischarged residual lithium and to increase consistency in discharge capacity. 
     An aspect of the disclosure is also a primary electrochemical cell with a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising one or more anodes, as described herein. The primary electrochemical cell may be provided with a non-aqueous electrolyte including Li/CF x , (where x is comprised between 0.6 and 1.2), Li/MnO 2 , Li/SVO, or Li/hybrid, where the hybrid is a mixture of CF x , and/or MnO 2 , and/or SVO, for example. 
       FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show further detail of the interrelationship of the various components of the cell  10 . As described above, the cell  10  includes the housing  500  and the header assembly  700 . The housing  500  in conjunction with the header assembly  700  contains various components of the cell including electrolyte of the cell. 
     An insulator pouch  210  may be provided inside the housing  500  so as to provide a lining to the housing  500 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, inside the insulator pouch  210  is provided an anode separator  230 . The anode separator  230  may be in the form of a folded pouch, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , so as to form two sides  236 ,  237 . Accordingly, the anode separator pouch  230  may be in a folded arrangement as shown in  FIG. 2 . The anode separator pouch  230  may include an inner lining  231  and an outer lining  232 . Inside each side of the anode separator pouch  230  may be positioned both anode  200  and plates  120 ,  120 ′ of anode current collector  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. The anode  200  may be in the form of a lithium coupon  200 . The lithium coupons  200  can be respectively positioned on the anode current collector plates  120 ,  120 ′, so as to form the anode assembly  101 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lithium coupons  200  are positioned on an interior side of the respective collector plate  120 ,  120 ′ to which each is attached. The lithium coupon/anode current collector assembly  101 , i.e. the anode assembly  101 , is enclosed in the anode separator pouch  230  with open or closed top. With regard to the anode separator pouch  230 , the inner lining  231  height can be greater than the outer lining  232  height, to provide good isolation between a cathode assembly  401  and anode assembly  101 . In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the anode current collector  100  and anodes  200  can be slid into the anode separator pouch  230  from above the anode separator pouch  230 , i.e. slid into the top of the anode separator pouch  230 . In particular, (1) one side of the anode assembly  101  (plate  120 , anode  200 ) can be slid into one side of the anode separator pouch  230  between the outer lining  232  and the inner lining  231 , in conjunction with (2) the other side of the anode assembly  101  (plate  120 ′, anode  200 ) can be slid into the other side of the anode separator pouch  230  between the outer lining  232  and the inner lining  231 . As a result, the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 3  can be provided. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the housing  500  also includes a cathode separator  430 , which may be in the form of a cathode separator pouch  430 . The cathode separator pouch  430  may be provided between the two sides  236 ,  237  of the anode separator pouch  230 , as such is folded. Provided within the cathode separator pouch  430  is one or more cathodes  300  and a cathode current collector  400 . Each cathode  300  may be constituted by a cathode pellet  300 . Dimensions of the cathode  300  are shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The cathode current collector  400  may be provided in the form of a plate that is provided between the two cathodes  300 . The cathode current collector  400 , i.e. plate for example, may be constituted and/or include a body that extends throughout a substantial extent of the width and height of the cathode(s)  300 . A cathode connection  440  or cathode positive connection  440  may be integrally formed with the cathode current collector  400  and extend above the cathodes  300  as is shown in both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The cathode positive connection  440  may engage with a corresponding connection in header body  710 . For example, the cathode positive connection  440  may engage with, as shown in  FIG. 3 , cathode feedthrough pin  732 . Relatedly, the negative connection or tab  140  of the anode assembly  101  may engage with a corresponding connection in header body  710 . Further details are described below with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , for example. 
     In accord with at least some embodiments of the disclosure, a header assembly  700  is shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  and is shown in further detail in  FIG. 7 . The header assembly  700  includes a header body  705 . The header body  705  may be shaped so as to conform and mate with an inner periphery of the housing  500 . For example, one or more welding rings  711  ( FIG. 3 ) or other connection structure may be utilized to attach the header assembly  700  to the housing  500  at a desired position. 
       FIG. 4  shows anode current collector  100  in a folded state. According to one or more embodiments, as described above, two metallic lithium coupons  200  are used as the anode of the electrochemical cell, as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 , for example. The lithium coupons  200  may be respectively fixed or positioned adjacent to the anode current collector  100 .  FIG. 5  represents a flat view of a metallic current collector  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. That is,  FIG. 5  shows an anode current collector  100  in a flattened or unfolded state. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the anode current collector  100  includes a first plate  120 , a second plate  120 ′, and a tab or bridge plate  110  that serves to connect the plates  120 ,  120 ′. The current collector  100  can include perforations. More specifically, the plates  120 ,  120 ′ may be provided with perforations  121 ,  121 ′. The plates  120 ,  120 ′ may be flat or substantially flat as shown in  FIG. 4 , i.e. in an operational configuration as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the plates  120 ,  120 ′ may be some other shape (and not flat), such as curved in a direction along tab  110  and/or curved in a direction perpendicular to a length of the tab  110 , for example. 
     From the perspective along direction D in  FIG. 4 , the plate  120  may be the same shape as the plate  120 ′. For example, the plate  120  may include a first end  125  and a second end  126 , with the first end being rounded and the second end defined by two corners  127 ,  128  and linear edge  129  extending between such two corners  127 ,  128 . In general, as otherwise described herein, the plate  120  may be mirror image of, and have the same structure as, the plate  120 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 4 , the current collector  100  also may be provided with alignment features including solid tab or plate  110  in the center of the anode current collector  100 . The solid tab or plate  110  may be characterized as a bridge plate in that tab  110  bridges between the plate  120 ′ and the plate  120 . The tab  110  may be provided with a plurality of apertures  111 . The lithium coupons  200  can be positioned on the anode current collector plates  120 ,  120 ′ (for example, on an interior side of the anode current collector plates  120 ,  120 ′), and the anode current collector  100  can be folded to the shape of design. The one or more apertures  111  can serve as an alignment feature during anode assembling process or assembling process of the cell  10 . The apertures  111  can help the anode current collector  100  be positioned on a fixture or assembly, and can assist to allow consistent and accurate placement of one or more lithium coupons  200  at or on the correct position on the anode current collector  100 , i.e. on the plates  120 ,  120 ′. In addition, the apertures  111  can help fold the current collector correctly. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the tab  110  can include a side portion  112 . The plate  120  is attached along the side portion  112 . The tab  110  can also include a side portion  112 ′. The plate  120 ′ is attached along the side portion  112 ′. 
     Accordingly, the tab  110  can have a plurality of apertures  111  that include a first aperture and a second aperture, and the first aperture positioned over the second aperture in the tab. The first aperture and the second aperture can each be centered in the tab  110  between a first side portion  112  and the second side portion  112 ′, as shown in  FIG. 4 , for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the anode current collector  100  may also be provided with a negative connection, terminal or tab  140 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The negative connection  140  may be a terminal, tab, or similar structure that extends from one of the plates  120 ,  120 ′ or may extend from the tab  110 . The connection  140  may include a tab base  141  that is widened and/or may be of structure or shape as desired. 
     The proportion of perforation can be defined as the ratio of (a) surface area (or otherwise characterized as the lack of surface area) of the perforation void of material to (b) total surface area of the collector excluding the central folding and tab area, in accordance with one or more embodiments. With reference to  FIG. 4 , which shows the anode current collector  100  in a folded state, a tab area may be characterized as the area of the anode current collector  100  that is provided substantially in the same plane as the apertures  111 , i.e. substantially co-planer to the apertures  111 , and the turned corners or edges along each side portion  112 ,  112 ′ of the tab  110 . In accordance with one or more embodiments, the proportion of perforation of a current collector may be between 30% and 90%, preferably may be between 40% and 80%, or preferably may be between 50% and 70%, for example. The current collector  100  may allow uniform utilization of lithium coupons during discharge. At the same time, the perforated anode current collector  100  can occupy a minimal amount of volume inside the cell  10 , allowing maximization of the amount of electrochemically active components in the cell  10  and—as a result—provide high energy density. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, the total surface area of the current collector excluding the central folding and tab area may be equal to or be a little smaller than the area of the lithium coupons. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the current collector (excluding the central folding and tab area) to the area of the lithium coupons may be between 70% to 100%, preferably may be between 80% and 100%, or preferably may be between 90% and 100%. Such ratio of the surface area of the current collector (excluding the central folding and tab area) to the area of a lithium coupon may relate to one side (i.e. plate)  120 ,  120 ′ of the anode current collector  100  vis-à-vis a corresponding lithium coupon (i.e. anode)  200  pressed onto or associated with such respective plate  120 ,  120 ′, for example. Relatedly, it is appreciated that the provided structure including the two sides of the anode current collector  100  and associated anode  200  may be mirror image of each other, i.e. such that ratios of such mirror image structure would be the same. 
     The current collector  100  may be a perforated metal, a stamped metal, an expanded metal, a grid, or a metallic fabric, for example. Thickness of the current collector  100  preferably may be between 0.010 mm and 0.100 mm, preferably may be between 0.020 mm and 0.070 mm, and preferably may also be between 0.04 and 0.06 mm. The material serving as a current collector is preferably chosen from the group comprising copper, stainless steel, nickel and/or titanium, for example. In accordance with one or more embodiments, preferably, the material may be pure copper—as pure copper has a high electric conductivity. 
     The alignment feature in the center of the current collector assists proper anode to current collector alignment and anode current collector folding, which may be key aspects of cell construction, in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     As illustratively shown in  FIG. 4  and described above, for example, two holes, openings, or apertures  111  in the center of the tab  110  allow the current collector to sit, be supported and/or be seated on a fixture in a stationary disposition. In such disposition, the lithium coupons or anodes  200  can be pressed properly onto the current collector  100 . Also, the two or more holes  111  afford a void of material that may allow easier folding of the current collector. Such arrangement may provide for (a) proper and/or needed geometry of the anode current collector  100  and other components within the cell, and (b) proper sandwiching of the cathode assembly  401  to fit into the cell case or housing  500 . The lithium coupons  200  can be positioned on the anode current collector plates  120 ,  120 ′, and the anode current collector  100  can be folded to the shape of design, such as shown in  FIG. 4 . The aperture(s)  111  may serve as alignment feature during an assembling process. The apertures can help the anode current collector  100  be positioned on a support structure, and assists to allow consistent placement of a lithium coupon(s)  200  at the correct position on the anode current collector  100 . In addition, the aperture(s)  111  can help fold the current collector  100  correctly. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the apertures  111  can be fitted on or into a jig or assembly structure in the assembly process, so as to support the anode current collector  100 . For example, the apertures  111  can be fitted over a pair of protuberances or studs (in or on an assembly structure) that match with the apertures  111 . As a result, the anode current collector  100  can be accurately positioned on the assembly structure. The anodes  200 , e.g. lithium coupons, can also be supported or positioned on the support structure on a respective, defined support that accurately positions the anodes  200  on the support structure. As a result of the accurate positioning of the lithium coupons  200  and the accurate positioning of the anode current collector  100  on the support structure, in the assembly process, each anode  200  can be accurately positioned on a respective plate of the plates  120 ,  120 ′. 
     Such a support structure can be positioned in the interior of the anode current collector  100  so as to support the anode current collector  100  and so as to be positioned to support the anodes  200 . Such a support structure can also include bend plates that approach or sweep up on opposing sides of the supported anode current collector  100 , so as to bend each plate  120 ,  120 ′ from a disposition shown in  FIG. 5  to a disposition as shown in  FIG. 4 . Such an assembly process may also include heat applied, such as to the anode current collector  100 . 
     As described above, the anode current collector  100  may include a negative current output terminal or connection  140  of the cell, which can be connected either to the current collector tabbing, or to the metallic lithium strip, or to both, for example. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, an electrode according to the disclosure can be used as an anode (negative electrode) of a primary lithium battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte can be a salt (such as LiBF 4 ) dissolved in organic solvent or in a mixture of solvents. 
     The primary electrochemical cell can be the types of Li/CF x , (where x is comprised between 0.6 and 1.2), Li/MnO 2 , Li/SVO, or Li/hybrid, where hybrid is a mixture of CF x , and/or MnO 2 , and/or SVO. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a header assembly of a battery, showing Detail A of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments.  FIG. 8  is a cross-section view, along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 , of a header assembly the same as or similar to the header assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the header assembly includes a header body  705 . The header body  705  may be dimensioned so as to be received into housing  500 . The header body may be stepped  701 ,  702 ,  703  ( FIG. 10 ) so as to accommodate components supported by the header body  705  as well as components positioned adjacent to the header body  705 . 
     The header body  705 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , includes a fill aperture  710 . The fill aperture  710  may be provided to add or remove electrolyte from the cell. The fill aperture  710  may be provided with a valve to prevent fluid flow there through. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the valve may be a ball valve, with the fill aperture dimensioned about a centerline so a receive a ball seal  715 . A fill port cover  716  may be provided to cover the fill aperture  710  and valve of the aperture. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the header body  705  may also be provided with at least one pin aperture  720 . The pin aperture  720  is provided to accommodate a connection assembly  730 . The connection assembly  730  provides an electrical path from an interior of the housing, in which the cell is located, through the connection assembly  730 , to an exterior of the housing. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the connection assembly  730  includes a feed through pin  732 . The feed through pin  732  provides a conductive path through the header body  705 . The feed through pin  732  may be supported by a substrate assembly  740 . The substrate assembly  740  can include a lower substrate socket  741 , a substrate sleeve  742 , and an upper substrate socket  743 . The substrate assembly  740  can provide a seal around and/or provide support to the feed through pin  732  in the pin aperture  720 . The lower substrate socket  741  and the upper substrate socket  743  can be annular in shape, i.e. donut shaped, so as to encircle the feed through pin  732 . The lower substrate socket  741  and the upper substrate socket  743  may be glass, resin or other suitable material. The lower substrate socket  741 , upper substrate socket  743 , and substrate sleeve  742  can be constructed of insulating material. 
     The feed through pin  732  may be connected to respective mating electrical connections. The feed through pin  732  may be connected to a pin extender  750  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The pin extender  750  may mate with the feed through pin  732  in telescopic manner as shown, or in other suitable manner. Relatedly, the header body  705  may be provided with an annular recess  735  so as to receive at least a portion of the pin extender  750 —so as to provide a more secure, stable and supported connection engagement. The annular recess  735  can be provided or defined by the pin aperture  720  and a top surface of the upper substrate socket  743 . 
     The feed through pin  732  may be connected to the cathode positive connection or tab  440  so as to provide electrical connection between the cathode current collector  400  and the pin extender  750 . The feed through pin  732  may be dimensioned or flattened  733  on one or more sides as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  so as to effectively engage with the tab  440  or other connection and accordingly provide electrical connection between the cathode current collector  400  and the pin extender  750 . 
     The header assembly  700  may also be provided with connection assembly  730 ′. The connection assembly  730 ′ provides an electrical path from an interior of the housing, in which the cell is located, through the connection assembly  730 ′, to an exterior of the housing. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the connection assembly  730 ′ can include a feed through pin  732 ′. The feed through pin  732 ′ may be supported by a substrate assembly  740 ′. The substrate assembly  740 ′ can include a lower substrate socket  741 ′, a substrate sleeve  742 ′, and an upper substrate socket  743 ′. The substrate assembly  740 ′ can provide a seal around and/or provide support to the feed through pin  732 ′ in a pin aperture  720 ′. The lower substrate socket  741 ′ and the upper substrate socket  743 ′ can be annular in shape, i.e. donut shaped, so as to encircle the feed through pin  732 ′. The lower substrate socket  741 ′ and the upper substrate socket  743 ′ may be glass, resin or other suitable material. The lower substrate socket  741 ′, upper substrate socket  743 ′, and substrate sleeve  742 ′ can be constructed of insulating material. 
     The feed through pin  732 ′ may be connected to respective mating electrical connections. The feed through pin  732 ′ may be connected to a pin extender  750 ′ as shown in  FIG. 7 . In particular, the pin extender  750 ′ may mate with an upper end of the feed through pin  732 ′ in manner as shown, or in other suitable manner. Relatedly, the header body  705  may be provided with an annular recess  735 ′ so as to receive at least a portion of the pin extender  750 ′—so as to provide a more secure and supported connection engagement. The annular recess  735 ′ can be provided or defined by the pin aperture  720 ′ and a top surface of the upper substrate socket  743 ′. 
     The feed through pin  732 ′ may be connected to the anode negative connection or tab  140  so as to provide electrical connection between the anode current collector  100  and the pin extender  750 ′, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The feed through pin  732 ′ may be dimensioned or flattened  733 ′ on one or more sides as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  so as to effectively engage with the tab  140  or with another connection assembly, and accordingly provide electrical connection between the anode current collector  100 , with tab  140 , and the pin extender  750 ′. 
     Both the pin extender  750  and the pin extender  750 ′, as shown in  FIG. 7  may be plated and/or otherwise enhanced so as to provide good electrical connection to yet further electrical respective connections, i.e. that are placed or positioned, respectively, onto the pin extender  750  and the pin extender  750 ′. 
     The connection assembly  730  and the connection assembly  730 ′ may be of the same or similar construct. The connection assembly  730  and the connection assembly  730 ′ may provide respective pass-through connections so as to provide electrical connection between the interior and the exterior of the cell. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , for example, the header assembly  700  may included first stepped portion  701 , second stepped portion  702 , and third stepped portion  703 . The stepped portions  701 ,  702 ,  703  may be shaped and dimensioned so as to provide for the fill aperture  710 , to provide desired stability and support to the feed through pins  732 ,  732 ′, and so as to accommodate or support other components as described herein. 
     In accordance with one illustrative example, one anode can be prepared from two metallic lithium coupons with a perforated current collector made of copper. The copper current collector can be perforated with diamond shape perforations. The ratio of perforated void area to the total area of current collector (excluding the central folding and tabbing area) can be 0.6. The thickness of the current collector can be 0.050 mm. The cell negative terminal can be connected to a negative connection or tab  140  of the current collector. 
     It is appreciated that the various components of embodiments of the disclosure may be made from any of a variety of materials including, for example, metal, copper, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, plastic, plastic resin, nylon, composite material, glass, and/or ceramic, for example, or any other material as may be desired. 
     A variety of production techniques may be used to make the apparatuses as described herein. For example, suitable casting and/or injection molding and other molding techniques, bending techniques, and other manufacturing techniques might be utilized. Also, the various components of the apparatuses may be integrally formed, as may be desired, in particular when using casting or molding construction techniques. 
     The various apparatuses and components of the apparatuses, as described herein, may be provided in various sizes, shapes, and/or dimensions, as desired. 
     It will be appreciated that features, elements and/or characteristics described with respect to one embodiment of the disclosure may be variously used with other embodiments of the disclosure as may be desired. 
     It will be appreciated that the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects, which are not mentioned herein, will be apparent to those in the art from the disclosure and accompanying claims. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure and accompanying claims. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “onto” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. Examples include “attached onto”, secured onto”, and “provided onto”. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly onto” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, “onto” and “on to” have been used interchangeably. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “attached to” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly attached to the another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “attached directly to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will be understood that such relationship also is to be understood with regard to: “secured to” versus “secured directly to”; “provided to” versus “provided directly to”; “connected to” versus “connected directly to” and similar language. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawing figures. It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of structures in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures. For example, if a device in the drawing figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to diagrams and/or cross-section illustrations, for example, that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of components illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Further, as otherwise noted herein, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect and/or use such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
     Embodiments are also intended to include or otherwise cover methods of using and methods of manufacturing any or all of the elements disclosed above. 
     While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     All related art references and art references discussed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     In conclusion, it will be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present disclosure other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present disclosure and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the disclosure. 
     Accordingly, while the present disclosure has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present disclosure or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.