= Battery separator
A <battery separator> keeps the two <electrodes> from direct electronic contact while allowing the ionic transport needed for the cell reaction. It is electronically insulating but permeable to relevant <ions>, commonly through an electrolyte-filled porous structure.
The distinction between ionic and electronic paths makes the circuit work: useful <electrons> travel through the external load, while <ions> complete the internal charge balance. Separator thickness and pore structure affect internal resistance and transport. A very low ionic resistance alone is not a complete design goal, because the separator must also maintain separation and compatibility with the cell's chemical environment.
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