A method for providing an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an open-ended container;
- b) providing an electrode assembly, comprising:
- i) at least a first cathode and a second cathode, the first cathode comprising a first cathode active material contacted to a first cathode current collector, and the second cathode comprising a second cathode active material contacted to a second cathode current collector, wherein:
- A) the first cathode current collector has a first cathode tab extending outwardly from a first cathode tab proximal portion having a first cathode tab proximal end connected to the first cathode current collector to a first cathode tab distal portion, wherein the first cathode tab has opposed first and second major sides;
- and
- B) the second cathode current collector has a second cathode tab extending outwardly from a second cathode tab proximal portion having a second cathode tab proximal end connected to the second cathode current collector to a second cathode tab distal portion, wherein the second cathode tab has opposed third and fourth major sides;
- ii) providing a cathode lead extending from a cathode lead proximal portion to a cathode lead distal portion, wherein, with the first and second cathodes in a side-by-side arrangement, wrapping the cathode tab around the first and second cathode tabs so that a first section and a second section of the cathode lead proximal portion contact the respective fourth major side of the second cathode tab and the first major side of the first cathode tab with a third section of the cathode lead proximal portion contacting the first section of the cathode lead proximal portion;
- and
- iii) welding the first, second and third sections of the cathode lead proximal portion, and the first and second cathode tabs together;
- and
- iv) providing at least one anode comprising an anode active material contacted to an anode current collector, and positioning the anode between the side-by-side first and second cathodes with a separator positioned between the anode and the first and second cathodes;
- and
- c) providing a lid sized and shaped to close the open end of the container;
- d) securing a feedthrough comprising a terminal pin of a glass-to-metal seal in an opening in the lid;
- e) electrically connecting a proximal end of the terminal pin to the cathode lead distal portion;
- f) housing the electrode assembly inside the container and then connecting at least one anode tab extending outwardly from the anode current collector to the container serving as a negative terminal for the cell;
- g) securing the lid to the container to close the open end thereof with a terminal pin distal end extending outside the casing to thereby serve as a positive terminal for the cell;
- and
- h) filling an electrolyte into the casing through a fill port and then closing the fill port.