An improved battery cell and batteries including same

A battery cell comprises two electrodes (20, 60), an insulating separator (30) separating the electrodes, and an electrolyte held by a receptacle (40). The top surface of the first electrode is covered by a conductive and non-porous layer. A battery cell comprises a first electrode having a top surface (21) and a bottom surface (22); a second electrode having a top surface and a bottom surface; an insulating separator separating the two electrodes; and an electrolyte supporting ion conductivity between the electrodes. The electrodes are stacked together so that the bottom surface of the first electrode is stacked adjacent to the top surface of the second electrode. The electrodes, the separator, and an electrolyte are held by a receptacle. The top surface of the first electrode is covered by a conductive and non-porous layer made of a material which is corrosion resistant to the electrolyte.