Prolonging the Lives of Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Cells

Several modifications of the design and operation of lithium-ion rechargeable electrochemical cells have been proposed to prolong the cycle lives of the cells. As explained below, overdischarge can result in dissolution of a metal current collector in the anode of a cell, with consequent internal short-circuiting of the cell and thus loss of cycle life. The proposed modifications are intended to prevent dissolution of the metal current collector and thereby extend the cycle life.