NOVELTY - An electrolyte composition comprises a conductive salt, and a surfactant salt (IA). The conductive salt comprises alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, a group IIB metal, a group IIIB metal, a rare earth metal, a nitrogen onium cation or a proton, an anion with perfluoroalkyl sulfo group, a bis-fluoroalkylsulfonyl methide anion and a tris-(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide anion.    USE - Useful in electrochemical system such as batteries, e.g. primary and secondary (rechargeable batteries), double-layer capacitors, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electroplating, electrorefining systems.    ADVANTAGE - Perfluorinated imide surfactant salts in electrolyte comprising short chain bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonylimide) conductive salts reduces exotherm energies produced at the electrode/electrolyte interface when a battery temperatures is up to 200 degreesC. The surfactant salts in electrolytes comprising short chain bis(perflouroalkanesulfonylimide) conductive salts maintains the high ionic conductivity, solubility, and chemical and thermal stability of the electrolyte. The surfactant and conductive salts lower the surface tension of the electrolyte solution and allow rapid wetting of battery component materials such as separators and electrodes to save time, process steps, and process equipment. The surfactant and conductive salts expand the range of electrolyte compositions available by allowing the use of high viscosity, high surface energy solvents. The surfactant and conductive salts increase the area of contact between the electrolyte and the electroactive materials to decrease battery internal resistance and increase performance, and are used in small quantity additions to existing electrolyte formulations to enhance performance. The surfactant and conductive salts provide for potential applications in a variety of battery systems including aqueous electrolyte batteries as well as fuel cells and capacitors. Corrosion of aluminum current collectors is reduced by the surfactant salt, as repassivation potential of the cell is increased to over 4.5 volts, thus reducing the corrosion current at high positive potentials. Capacity fade in cells during high temperature cycling and storage (e.g., 60 degreesC, or higher at full charge of 4.2V) is reduced by the surfactant salt. Surfactant salt/conductive salt gives electrolyte salt performance comparable to lithium hexafluorophosphate. The drawbacks of hydrolytic and thermal instability inherent in the hexafluorophosphate anion, in lithium hexafluorophosphate, are prevented.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An electrolyte composition comprises conductive salt, and surfactant salt (IA), at the molar ratio of 99.9:0.1-75:25. The conductive salt comprises cation chosen from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, group IIB metal, group IIIB metal, rare earth metal, nitrogen onium cation or proton, anion of formula Rf0SO3-, where Rf0 is a 2-4C perfluoroalkyl group, anion (I,II), bis-fluoroalkylsulfonyl methide anion (III) and tris-(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide anion (IV).    Rf1, Rf2 = optionally branched 1-4C perfluoroalkyl group, Rf1 and Rf2 have a total of up to 5 carbon atoms;    Rf3 = 2-4C perfluoroalkylene moiety optionally substituted by optionally branched 1-2C perfluoroalkyl group, Rf3 has total of up to 4 carbon atoms;    X- = O-, N-SO2Rf4 or -C(Rf6SO2)(SO2Rf7);    Z = CF2, O, NRf8 or Sf4;    Rf4, Rf5 = CmF2m+1' or (CF2)q-SO2-X-;    Rf6, Rf7 = CmF2m+1', (CF2)4-SO2-X-, N(Rf1) (Rf2)(CF2)n' or group (V);    Rf8 = CmF2m+1' or (CF2)q-SO2-X-;    Rf6', Rf7' = perfluoroalkylene moiety of formula CrF2r;    n', r, n, q = 1-4;    RfII, RfIII = 1-4C perfluoroalkyl groups, RfI and RfII have a total of up to 5 carbon atoms;    R = H, CN, F, 1-6C alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with 1-4C alkyl;    RfIII, RfIV, RfV = 1-4C perfluoroalkyl group, RfIII, RfIV, and RfV have total of up to 6 carbon atoms;    M+n = cation with the valence equal to n;    n = 1-4;    Rf, Rf' = 1-12C perfluoroalkyl, perfluorocycloalkyl or perfluorocycloalkyl perfluoroalkyl having 4-7C ring carbon atoms and 1-4C alkyl chain and optionally containing catenary heteroatoms, Rf and Rf' have a total of 8 carbon atoms.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (i) an electrochemical system which comprises a cathode (6), a anode (3) and an electrolytic composition;    (ii) battery or rechargeable battery comprising a lithium-intercalated carbon anode and a metal oxide cathode;    (iii) a method of improving safety and performance of an electrochemical system which involves using an electrolyte composition comprising surfactant salt (II), a conductive salt having a cation, an anion (I), and a matrix material.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the view of a lithium ion battery.    Anode (3)    Cathode (6)