LITHIUM-INTERCALATION OXIDES FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Since the introduction of the LixC/LiCoO2 cell, rechargeable lithium b atteries have become the technology of choice for applications where v olume or weight are a consideration (e.g., laptop computers and cell p hones). The focus of current research in cathode-active materials is o n less-expensive or higher-performance materials than LiCoO2. This art icle illustrates how first-principles calculations can play a critical role in obtaining the understanding needed to design improved cathode oxides.