TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The solute is selected from lithium salts such as LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4, LiAsF6, LiTaF6, LiAlCl4, Li2B10Cl10, LiCF3SO3, LiN(SO2CmF2m+1)(SO2CnF2n+1) and LiC(SO2CkF2k+1)(SO2CmF2m+1)(SO2CnF2n+1) (where m,n,k=1-10), LiN(SO2CpF2pSO2) and LiC(SO2CpF2pSO2)(SO2CqF2q+1) (where p,q=1-10), LiPFx(Rf)6-x and LiBFy(Rf)4-y (where Rf=perfluorinated 1-20C alkyl or perfluorinated aromatic group, x=0-5 and y=0-3). The cathode comprises lithium mixed metal oxide selected from LiMnO2, LiMn2O4, LiCoO2, Li2Cr2O7, Li2CrO4, LiNiO2, LiFeO2, LiNixCo1-xO2, LiFePO4, LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2, LiMnxCoyNixO2 and LiMc0.5Mn1.5O4 (x,y,z=greater than 0 and less than 1 and Mc=divalent metal). The anode comprises a material selected from crystalline carbon, lithium metal, LiMnO2, LiAl, LiZn, Li3Bi, Li3Cd, Li3Sb, Li4Si, Li4.4Pb, Li4.4Sn, LiC6, Li3FeN2, Li2.6Co0.4N, Li2.6Cu0.4N and/or Li4Ti5O12. The solute is selected from LiPF6 and/or LiBF4. The salt additive comprises lithium bis(oxalato)borate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The salt additive is selected from lithium bis(oxalato) borate, lithium bis(malonato) borate, lithium bis(difluoromalonato) borate, lithium (malonato oxalato) borate, lithium (difluoromalonato oxalato) borate, lithium tris(oxalato) phosphate, and lithium tris(difluoromalonato) phosphate, preferably lithium bis(oxalato) borate. The non-aqueous solvent is selected from ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, dibutyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane, 1,2-dibutoxyethane, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, butyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, propyl propionate, butyl propionate, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, propyl butyrate, butyl butyrate, gamma-butyrolactone, 2-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone, 3-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone, 4-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone, beta-propiolactone, delta-valerolactone, trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phosphate, tripropyl phosphate, triisopropyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, trihexyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate and tritolyl phosphate, preferably ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate and/or diethyl carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The cathode further comprises a binder selected from polyvinylidene fluoride, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyamide and/or melamine.