NOVELTY - The battery module (160) has multiple lithium ion battery cells (40) arranged within a packaging. Each multiple lithium ion battery cells include a respective battery cell packaging and a thermal pouch. A thermal management feature (150) is configured to receive and remove the heat from multiple lithium ion battery cells and from the packaging of the battery module respectively. Each respective thermal pouch comprises a carbon-based thermal film having a first side that contacts both the respective battery cell packaging and one thermal management feature of the battery module.    USE - Lithium ion battery module used in micro-hybrid electric vehicle (xEV), for supplying power to components such as radiator cooling fans, electric power steering systems, auto park systems, electric water pumps, window lift motors, tire pressure monitoring systems, alarm systems, navigation features, lane departure warning systems, electric parking brakes, etc. Can also be used in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), full HEV (FHEV) and mild HEV (MHEV).    ADVANTAGE - The thermal pouch design enables good heat conduction, electrical resistance, and enables greater robustness toward battery cell variability and greater robustness toward expansion and contraction of the battery cell during the operation. The comfortable nature of the carbon-based thermal film provides a greater freedom when the battery module is assembled since the thermal contact between the components is not rigidly dependent on the uniform battery cell size and tight packing to provide efficient thermal pathway to cool the battery cells.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a thermal assembly for a battery cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows the perspective view of a portion of a battery module that includes a number of prismatic battery cells that are each mounted in the thermal pouch.    Battery cell (40)    Metallic packaging (42)    Flap (132)    Thermal management feature (150)    Battery module (160)