Abstract: Improved high energy capacity designs for lithium ion batteries are described that take advantage of the properties of high specific capacity anode active compositions and high specific capacity cathode active compositions. In particular, specific electrode designs provide for achieving very high energy densities. Furthermore, the complex behavior of the active materials is used advantageously in a radical electrode balancing design that significantly reduced wasted electrode capacity in either electrode when cycling under realistic conditions of moderate to high discharge rates and/or over a reduced depth of discharge.

Abstract: Lithium rich and manganese rich lithium metal oxides are described that provide for excellent performance in lithium-based batteries. The specific compositions can be engineered within a specified range of compositions to provide desired performance characteristics. Selected compositions can provide high values of specific capacity with a reasonably high average voltage. Compositions of particular interest can be represented by the formula, x Li2MnO3.(1?x) Li Niu+?Mnu??CowAyO2. The compositions undergo significant first cycle irreversible changes, but the compositions cycle stably after the first cycle.

Abstract: Positive electrode active materials are described that have a high tap density and high specific discharge capacity upon cycling at room temperature and at a moderate discharge rate. Some materials of interest have the formula Li1+xNi?Mn?Co?O2, where x ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.25, ? ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4, ? ranges from about 0.4 to about 0.65, and ? ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.3. The materials can be coated with a metal fluoride to improve the performance of the materials especially upon cycling. Also, the coated materials can exhibit a very significant decrease in the irreversible capacity lose upon the first charge and discharge of the battery.

Abstract: Mixed phase complex lithium metal oxides are described with an overall stoichiometry represented by a formula Li1+aNibCocMndOx, ?0.05?a?0.14, 0.1?b?0.25, 0?c?0.2, 0.45?d?0.8, a+b+c+d=1 and (1+a)/(b+c+d)?1.325. The compositions are generally very high in manganese content. The compositions can have x-ray diffractograms and differential capacity profiles suggesting the presence of a layered (Li2MnO3)—layered (LiMetalO2)—spinel crystal structure. The compositions can exhibit surprisingly low first cycle irreversible capacity losses while maintaining high specific discharge capacities, even at high discharge rates. Stabilizing coatings have been found to further significantly improve performance.

Abstract: Electrochemically active material comprising a lithium metal oxide composition approximately represented by the formula Li1+bComNinMnpO(2), where ?0.2>b>0.2, 0.2>m>0.45, 0.055?n?0.24, 0.385?p?0.72, and m+n+p is approximately 1 has been synthesized and assembled to batteries. The electrochemical performance of the batteries was evaluated. The lithium metal oxide composition in general comprises a first layered phase, a second layered phase and a spinel phase. A layered Li2MnO3 phase is at least partially activated upon charging to 4.5V. In some embodiments, the material further comprises a stabilization coating covering the lithium metal oxide composition.

Abstract: Positive electrode active materials are described that have a very high specific discharge capacity upon cycling at room temperature and at a moderate discharge rate. Some materials of interest have the formula Li1+xNi60Mn?Co?O2, where x ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.25, ? ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4, ? range's from about 0.4 to about 0.65, and ? ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.3. The materials can be coated with a metal fluoride to improve the performance of the materials especially upon cycling. Also, the coated materials can exhibit a very significant decrease in the irreversible capacity lose upon the first charge and discharge of the cell. Methods for producing these materials include, for example, a co-precipitation approach involving metal hydroxides and sol-gel approaches.