Patent ID: 8440064

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of electrode modules, each including a current collector to receive power from an external power supply, said current collector having a periphery and an edge; at least one electrode to receive power from the current collector, each of said at least one electrodes having a fluid contact area on an outwardly-facing surface, a periphery outside of the fluid contact area, an opposing surface facing the current collector, and an edge, wherein the periphery of the current collector is substantially co-terminus with the periphery of the at least one electrode, wherein the current collectors of the electrode modules are physically connected to each other in a co-planar relationship to form a single, elongated, planar current collector; and a thermocompression bonding protective film contacting directly the respective peripheries and edges of the electrodes and of the current collectors, wherein the single current collector includes a power connector at one projecting end to connect the single current collector to a power supply, and wherein the film includes a first opening that corresponds to and exposes the single power connector, and second openings that correspond to and expose the fluid contact areas of the electrodes, respectively.