An electrochemical cell, comprising: an anode including lithium metal or a lithium alloy metal; a cathode including an active material which intercalates lithium; and a separator composed of a solid ceramic layer and positioned between the anode and the cathode, the separator including a first structured surface portion positioned in opposition to and immediately adjacent to the anode, the first structured surface portion having a non-planar profile in aggregate, a second structured surface portion positioned in opposition to and immediately adjacent to the cathode, the second structured surface portion having a non-planar profile in aggregate, the separator has a first thickness; the first structured surface portion defines a second thickness; the second structured surface portion defines a third thickness; and a sum of the second thickness and the third thickness is less than 20 percent of the first thickness, the first structured surface portion is uniformly structured; and the second structured surface portion is uniformly structured, the first structured surface portion includes a plurality of first surfaces angled with respect to each other; and the second structured surface portion includes a plurality of second surfaces angled with respect to each other each of the plurality of first surfaces is associated with a respective one of the plurality of second surfaces located directly across the width of the separator; and a straight line distance from each of the plurality of first surfaces to the associated one of the plurality of second surfaces is the same distance as a parallel straight line distance between each of the other of the plurality of first surfaces to the associated one of the plurality of second surfaces. an anode including lithium metal or a lithium alloy metal; a cathode including an active material which intercalates lithium; and a separator composed of a solid ceramic layer and positioned between the anode and the cathode, the separator including a first structured surface portion positioned in opposition to and immediately adjacent to the anode, the first structured surface portion having a non-planar profile in aggregate, a second structured surface portion positioned in opposition to and immediately adjacent to the cathode, the second structured surface portion having a non-planar profile in aggregate, the separator has a first thickness; the first structured surface portion defines a second thickness; the second structured surface portion defines a third thickness; and a sum of the second thickness and the third thickness is less than 20 percent of the first thickness, the first structured surface portion is uniformly structured; and the second structured surface portion is uniformly structured, the first structured surface portion includes a plurality of first surfaces angled with respect to each other; and the second structured surface portion includes a plurality of second surfaces angled with respect to each other each of the plurality of first surfaces is associated with a respective one of the plurality of second surfaces located directly across the width of the separator; and a straight line distance from each of the plurality of first surfaces to the associated one of the plurality of second surfaces is the same distance as a parallel straight line distance between each of the other of the plurality of first surfaces to the associated one of the plurality of second surfaces.