An electrode assembly comprising: a mandrel extending from a first end region to a second end region along an axis, wherein the mandrel is configured to be coupled to at least one electrode, the at least one electrode locatable at least partially about the mandrel, wherein the mandrel comprises a conductive positive mandrel portion configured to electrically and mechanically couple to a positive electrode and a positive connector element and a conductive negative mandrel portion configured to electrically and mechanically couple to a negative electrode and a negative connector element, the positive and negative mandrel portions extending between respective first ends at the first end region and second ends at the second end region; and wherein at least one insulative portion comprises: a first insulative portion formed about the first ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions, and extending from the first end region of the mandrel, and a second insulative portion formed about the second ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions and extending from the second end region of the mandrel, each of the first and the second insulative portions configured to insulate the mandrel from a battery casing, and to couple and space apart the positive and negative mandrel portions, thereby electrically isolating the positive mandrel portion from the negative mandrel portion. a mandrel extending from a first end region to a second end region along an axis, wherein the mandrel is configured to be coupled to at least one electrode, the at least one electrode locatable at least partially about the mandrel, wherein the mandrel comprises a conductive positive mandrel portion configured to electrically and mechanically couple to a positive electrode and a positive connector element and a conductive negative mandrel portion configured to electrically and mechanically couple to a negative electrode and a negative connector element, the positive and negative mandrel portions extending between respective first ends at the first end region and second ends at the second end region; and wherein at least one insulative portion comprises: a first insulative portion formed about the first ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions, and extending from the first end region of the mandrel, and a second insulative portion formed about the second ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions and extending from the second end region of the mandrel, each of the first and the second insulative portions configured to insulate the mandrel from a battery casing, and to couple and space apart the positive and negative mandrel portions, thereby electrically isolating the positive mandrel portion from the negative mandrel portion. a first insulative portion formed about the first ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions, and extending from the first end region of the mandrel, and a second insulative portion formed about the second ends of each of the positive and the negative mandrel portions and extending from the second end region of the mandrel, each of the first and the second insulative portions configured to insulate the mandrel from a battery casing, and to couple and space apart the positive and negative mandrel portions, thereby electrically isolating the positive mandrel portion from the negative mandrel portion.