Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for optimizing the formation protocol of a battery. The method can include the steps of: (a) providing a battery cell structure comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode including cations that move from the cathode to the anode during charging; (b) performing a first charge of the battery cell structure using a predetermined formation protocol to create a formed battery cell; and (c) determining a cell internal resistance of the formed battery cell. Therefore, one can compare the cell internal resistances of two battery cells formed by using identical battery cell structures and different formation protocols, and select a formation protocol if the first cell internal resistance of a first formed battery is greater than or less than the second cell internal resistance of a second formed battery.