Multifunctional battery and method of making the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, wile maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit having a first terminal and a second terminal, said battery comprising: 
 a corrugated structure comprised of at least one alternating ridge and groove or a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves, wherein said structure comprises a structural electrode, said multifunctional structure being configured to be a load bearing member and being connectable to the first terminal;    at least one or a plurality of interstitial electrodes, said one or plurality of interstitial electrodes being a counter electrode to said structural electrode, said interstitial electrodes being at least partially received within a predetermined number of grooves of said structure and being connectable to the second terminal; and    a separator portion disposed between said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator between said structural electrode and interstitial electrodes.    
   
   
       19 . The battery of  claim 18 , wherein said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes are counter electrodes with respect to one another, wherein: 
 if said structural electrode is a cathode then said interstitial electrodes are an anode; or    alternatively, if said structural electrode is an anode then said interstitial electrodes are a cathode.    
   
   
       20 . The battery of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 said cathode comprises: 
 a cathode nickel layer, and  
 a cathode active metal disposed on said cathode nickel layer;  
   said anode comprises: 
 a anode nickel layer, and  
 an anode active metal disposed on said anode nickel layer.  
   
   
   
       21 - 45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . A method of producing a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit having a first terminal and a second terminal, said battery comprising a: 
 providing a corrugated structure comprised of at least one alternating ridge and groove or a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves, wherein said structure comprises a structural electrode, said multifunctional structure being configured to be a load bearing member and being connectable to the first terminal;    receiving at least one or a plurality of interstitial electrodes, said one or plurality of interstitial electrodes being a counter electrode to said structural electrode, said interstitial electrodes being at least partially received within a predetermined number of grooves of said structure and being connectable to the second terminal; and    providing a separator portion disposed between said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator between said structural electrode and interstitial electrodes.    
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes are counter electrodes with respect to one another, wherein: 
 if said structural electrode is a cathode then said interstitial electrodes are an anode; or    alternatively, if said structural electrode is an anode then said interstitial electrodes are a cathode.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein: 
 said cathode comprises: 
 a cathode nickel layer, and  
 a cathode active metal disposed on said cathode nickel layer;  
   said anode comprises: 
 a anode nickel layer, and  
 an anode active metal disposed on said anode nickel layer.