Patent ID: 7855016

Claim:
A method comprising: obtaining a charged electrochemical cell comprising: as at least part of an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide compound which has a [B 2 ]X 4 n− spinel-type framework structure of an A[B 2 ]X 4 spinel wherein A comprises Li, B comprises Li and Ti, X is oxygen (O), and n− refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B 2 ]X 4 of the framework structure, and the Ti cation of which, in the fully discharged state of the cell, has a mean oxidation state of +4; as at least part of a cathode, a lithium metal oxide compound; and an electrically insulative, lithium containing, liquid or polymeric, ionically conductive electrolyte between the anode and the cathode, such that, on discharging the cell, lithium ions are extracted from the spinel-type framework structure of the anode, with the oxidation state of the metal ions of the anode thereby increasing, while a concomitant insertion of lithium ions into the cathode takes place, with the oxidation state of the metal ions of the cathode decreasing correspondingly; discharging the electrochemical cell; and recharging the electrochemical cell.