A battery cell is presented. The battery cell includes an anode, a cathode spaced from and operatively associated with the anode, an electrolyte operatively associated with the anode and the cathode. A layered separator includes a plurality of separator material layers disposed between the anode and cathode. The plurality of separator material layers includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is characterized by a first value of a physical property and the second layer is characterized by a second value of the physical property.