Abstract: In one embodiment, an active cathode material comprises a mixture that includes: at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate; and at least one of a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y1)2?x1Oz1 and an olivine compound represented by an empirical formula of Li(1?x2)A?x2MPO4. In another embodiment, an active cathode material comprises a mixture that includes: a lithium nickelate selected from the group consisting of LiCoO2-coated LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, and Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2; and a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x7)Mn2?y7Oz7. A lithium-ion battery and a battery pack each independently employ a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above.

Abstract: One or more buttons, located either on a battery pack or on an electronic device powered by the battery pack, that allow the user to charge the battery of a portable device faster than normal. Electronic circuitry is provided for activating the charge mode choices.

Abstract: A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack.

Abstract: One or more buttons, located either on a battery pack or on an electronic device powered by the battery pack, that allow the user to charge the battery of a portable device faster than normal. Electronic circuitry is provided for activating the charge mode choices.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y2)2?x2Oz1 or Li(1+x1)Mn2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.9:0.1 to about 0.6:0.4. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an active cathode material comprises a mixture that includes: at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate; and at least one of a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1-y1A?y1)2?x1Oz1 and an olivine compound represented by an empirical formula of Li(1?x2)A?x2MPO4. In another embodiment, an active cathode material comprises a mixture that includes: a lithium nickelate selected from the group consisting of LiCoO2-coated LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, and Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2; and a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x7)Mn2?y7Oz7. A lithium-ion battery and a battery pack each independently employ a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above.

Abstract: One or more buttons, located either on a battery pack or on an electronic device powered by the battery pack, that allow the user to charge the battery of a portable device faster than normal. Electronic circuitry is provided for activating the charge mode choices.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y2)2?x2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.95:0.05 to about 0.55:0.45. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1-y1A?y2)2-x2Oz1 or Li(1+x1)Mn2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.9:0.1 to about 0.6:0.4. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack.

Abstract: A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack.