In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single battery ribbon (14) and vacuum packaging. The single battery ribbon includes a first portion (22), a second portion (22), and an interconnecting portion (15) between the first portion (22) and the second portion (22). The first portion (22), the second portion (22), and the interconnecting portion (15) form a continuous single layer including an anode (16) and a cathode (20). The vacuum packaging surrounds the single battery ribbon (14). The vacuum packaging includes a middle connecting portion configured to contact a first side of the interconnecting portion (15) and a second opposite side of the interconnecting portion (15).