Patent ID: 7553584

Claim:
A bipolar device comprising: first and second substantially planar substrates; a first electrode having a substantially planar base disposed on the first substrate, and a first surface for positioning proximate to an opposing, second electrode disposed on the second substrate, the first electrode being reticulated so as to define a plurality of protrusions and intervening indentations providing a surface area at least 1.5 times the theoretical surface area of a smooth non-reticulating surface, wherein the protrusions of the first electrode have a length l, as measured from the substantially planar base to the first surface, and a cross-sectional thickness a, and the protrusions extend in a direction away from the base of the first electrode and towards the base of the second electrode, wherein the cross-sectional thickness a of the protrusions of the first electrode varies along the length l of the protrusions of the first electrode such that the cross-sectional thickness, when averaged along the length of the protrusions, is less than about 100 microns, wherein the second electrode has a substantially planar base disposed on the second substrate, and a second surface for positioning proximate to the opposing, first electrode disposed on the first surface, the second electrode being reticulated so as to define a plurality of protrusions and intervening indentations, the protrusions having a length m, as measured from the substantially planar base to the second surface, the protrusions extending in a direction away from the base of the second electrode and towards the base of the first electrode such that the first and second reticulating electrodes are interpenetrating, and wherein each protrusion consists essentially of electrode material and includes a first end connected to the base of its respective electrode, and a second end extending away from the base toward the base of the other electrode, wherein each respective base connects each protrusion of its respective electrode to each adjacent protrusion of the electrode.