Battery cell with a partial dielectric barrier for improved battery pack mechanical and thermal performance

A battery, comprising:

• a cell case having a lateral outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is closed by a cell case bottom, and wherein said second end is comprised of a central open portion;
• an electrode assembly contained within said cell case, wherein a first electrode of said electrode assembly is electrically connected to said cell case;
• a cap assembly mounted to said cell case, said cap assembly closing said central open portion of said second end, wherein said cap assembly further comprises a battery terminal electrically isolated from said cell case and electrically connected to a second electrode of said electrode assembly;
• and
• a dielectric barrier surrounding an end portion of said cell case proximate to said second end and said cap assembly, said dielectric barrier covering 20 percent or less of said lateral outer surface of said cell case.