Ultra-thin electrochemical energy storage devices

A method for forming an electrochemical energy storage device, the steps comprising:

• providing a plurality of frames stacked generally parallel with each other with each of said frames defining a plurality of openings;
• affixing a plurality of electrodes within selected openings in each of said plurality of frames;
• providing a plurality of current collectors, said current collectors being affixed to said plurality of frames;
• providing a plurality of proton conductive membranes, wherein each of said membranes is between a pair of opposing ones of said electrodes and wherein said pair of opposing electrodes and associated proton conductive membrane defines a cell;
• and
• joining together a plurality of cells into a plurality of stacks connected in series by said plurality of current collectors to form said device.

An electrochemical energy storage device, comprising:

• a plurality of non-conductive frames stacked generally parallel to each other with at least one opening in each of said frames;
• a plurality of high-surface-area carbon/aqueous acid electrodes, said plurality of electrodes being affixed within said at least one opening in each of said plurality of non-conductive frames;
• a plurality of multi-layer current collectors, said current collectors being affixed to said plurality of planar frames;
• a plurality of proton conductive membranes, wherein each of said membranes is between a pair of opposing ones of said plurality of electrodes and wherein said pair of opposing electrodes and associated proton conductive membrane defines a cell;
• and
• at least a pair of tab structures, said tab structures being electrically connected to said multi-layer current collectors.