TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composition: The transition metal (M) further includes at least one element comprising divalent cations selected from magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and zinc. The cathode material further comprises incompletely reacted layer structure or spinel structure material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The crystalline lithium transition metal oxide of step (a) is of formula LiNixMg(1-x)O2 (preferably LiNi(0.92)Mg(0.08)O2 (IIa)); or Li(1+x)Mn(2-x)O4 (preferably Li(1.07)Mn(1.93)O4 (IIb)). Preferred Method: The starting chemicals of step (b) include Fe2O3, Li2CO3, H3PO4, and C, in which the Fe2O3, Li2CO3, and H3PO4 are provided in stoichiometric amounts, and C is provided in amount exceeding the stoichiometric amount. The mixture of step (c) contains the crystalline lithium transition metal oxide (1-5 wt.%). In step (d), the materials are heated to (550-650, preferably 600)degreesC for (8-12, preferably 10) hours. The method further involves: forming and mixing a slurry of the starting chemicals; drying the slurry; and heating the dried slurry to obtain a product for milling in step (c). The method involves: (a1) providing the crystalline lithium transition metal oxide of formula (IIa) or (IIb); (b1) providing the starting chemicals Fe2O3, Li2CO3, H3PO4, and C in stoichiometric amounts of 1:1:1:2; (c1) forming and mixing a slurry of the starting chemicals, drying the slurry in air at 150degreesC for 10 hours, and heating the dried slurry to 400degreesC for 5 hours to obtain a product for milling; (d1) combining and milling the materials of steps (a1) and (c1) to form a mixture of the materials of steps (a1) and (c1) in particulate form, containing the crystalline lithium transition metal oxide (3 wt.%); and (e1) heating the material of step (d1) in a vessel in air, to form a cathode material having a defective crystalline structure of crystalline compound of formula (Ia) or (Ib), at 600degrees for 10 hours, with the surfaces of the material facing the air covered by the porous layer of inert blanket that allows air permeation and escaping gases caused by the heating (preferably a ceramic fiber blanket having a layer thickness of 1-3 inches). EXAMPLE - Synthesis of LiNi(0.92)Mg(0.08)O2 was carried out as follows. Stoichiometric amounts of LiOH, H2O, Ni(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 were mixed in a blender. After 3 hours of mixing, the mixed precursor materials were subjected to heat treatment in air at 600degreesC for 10 hours. After gentle crushing and sieving, the materials were then heat treated again in oxygen at 7000degrees for 24 hours. The X ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the obtained material showed that the material was phase pure in nature i.e. all Mg cations dissolved in the LiNiO2 structure. Synthesis of defective lithium transition metal phosphate was the carried out by incorporating LiNi(0.92)Mg(0.08)O2 (3 wt.%) and heat treating in an air environment, as follows. Fe2O3, Li2CO3 and Super P (RTM: carbon black), in a molar ratio of 1:1:2 were mixed together with the addition of water to produce a slurry. After mixing thoroughly, a stoichiometric amount of phosphoric acid was added to the mixture and extended mixing was utilized. Finally, the slurry was dried in air at 150degreesC for 10 hours followed by further heat treatment at 400degreesC for 5 hours until chunks of material were obtained. The intermediate material obtained was then subjected to grinding and ball milling with LiNi(0.92)Mg(0.08)O2 (3 wt.%), for 12 hours. Synthesis of the defective lithium transition metal phosphate cathode material (A) was carried out by heat treatment of the material obtained at 600degreesC for 10 hours, under air atmosphere. The XRD data revealed phase pure nature of the material, and a full dissolution of the layer structured LiNi(0.92)Mg(0.08)O2 into the LiFePO4 was possible (formation of phosphorous and oxygen vacancies during processing). Fabrication of a 1.5 Ah battery was then carried out using the obtained defective lithium transition metal phosphate (A). For cathode preparation, Super P (500 g) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) (500 g) were mixed thoroughly with the material (A) (9 kg) using N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent. After stirring and mixing for 12 hours, a homogeneous slurry was obtained. The slurry had a viscosity of approximately 20000 cp prior to coating. The slurry was coated on an aluminum foil. The coated film was dried at 140degreesC for 10 minutes in a convective furnace. Similarly, the other side of the aluminum foil was coated with the material. After drying, the coated foil was subjected to rolling. The resulting compressed films and foil had a thickness of 160plus minus 5 microns. For anode preparation, PVDF (8 wt.%) and natural graphite material (92 wt.%) were mixed thoroughly using NMP as a solvent. After stirring and mixing for 12 hours a homogeneous slurry was obtained. The slurry had a viscosity of approximately 15000 cp prior to coating. The slurry was coated on a copper foil. The coated film was dried at 140degreesC for 10 minutes in a convective furnace. Similarly, the other side of the copper foil was coated with the material. After drying, the coated foil was subjected to coating with a polymer solution as disclosed in the US6727017. The coated anode obtained was then subjected to rolling to a thickness of 210plus minus 5 microns. For battery assembly, a battery was made using 28 pairs of cathodes (4 cm x 5 cm) and anodes (4 cm x 5 cm). The electrodes were placed in an alternating sequence. After soaking with an electrolyte (ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) 1:1) for 12 hours, the battery was subjected to cycling (4 cycles without aging). The battery showed a capacity of approximately 1200 mAh at a charge/discharge current of 1.5 A. The battery was then subjected to a high rate capability test at greater than 20C as follows. 7 Light bulbs (12 V, 5O W for each bulb) were connected in series with one voltage meter and one ampere meter for monitoring the voltage and current. Four batteries were also connected in series and a total voltage of 13.2 V was obtained (prior to closing the circuit). On closing the circuit, an initial ampere meter reading was 30 A and the voltage reading was 10.5 V (a total of 315 W) was observed. After 10 seconds, the reading of the ampere meter dropped to 28 A and the voltage reading dropped to 10.2 V (a total of 286 W). Then, the readings remained stable for the next 20 seconds. From the high rate discharge test, it was concluded that the batteries possessed a high rate capability with a discharge capability of greater than 20C (a 1C rate was 1.5 A, 20C rate was 30A). The cathode material thus had high rate capabilities.