A battery matrix provided with a plurality of battery cells; each of the battery cells provided with a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A positive trace grid and a negative trace grid, each provided as a conductive mesh with an array of apertures forming a plurality of alternative conductive paths across each of the positive and negative trace grids. Each of the battery cells coupled at the positive terminal to a positive trace pad of the positive trace grid and at the negative terminal to a negative trace pad of the negative trace grid. Alternatively, an intermediate trace grid may be introduced so that successive rows of the battery cells are coupled electrically in series with one another.