NOVELTY - Rechargeable lithium battery (I) (1) comprises: positive electrode (2) comprising positive current collector partially coated with positive active material to form positive coated region and positive uncoated region; negative electrode (3) comprising negative current collector partially coated with negative active material to form negative coated region and negative uncoated region; and separator (4) between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, where the electrode assembly is spirally wound many times with the positive uncoated region and the negative uncoated region.    USE - The rechargeable lithium battery is useful for generating electrical energy.    ADVANTAGE - The rechargeable lithium battery: has an electrode assembly core, which does not severely distorted due to electrode expansion during charge and discharge; has an improved cycle-life; has improved productivity, decreased manufacturing cost and increases competitiveness; has improved structural and/or thermal stability; and is an high capacity battery.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Rechargeable lithium battery (I) (1) comprises an electrode assembly, which comprises: a positive electrode (2) comprising a positive current collector partially coated with a positive active material to form a positive coated region and a positive uncoated region; a negative electrode (3) comprising a negative current collector partially coated with a negative active material to form a negative coated region and a negative uncoated region; and a separator (4) between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, where the electrode assembly is spirally wound many (preferably 3-15) times with the positive uncoated region and the negative uncoated region together forming a core central to the spirally-wound electrode assembly. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a rechargeable lithium battery (II) comprising an electrode assembly, which comprises: a positive electrode comprising a positive current collector coated on a first portion with a positive active material to form a positive active coated region and coated on a second portion with a polymer to form a positive polymer coated region; a negative electrode comprising a negative current collector coated on a first portion with a negative active material to form a negative active coated region and coated on a second portion with a polymer to form a negative polymer coated region; and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, where the electrode assembly is spirally wound many (preferably 3-15) times with the positive polymer coated region and the negative polymer coated region together forming a core central to the spirally-wound electrode assembly.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the schematic view of the rechargeable lithium battery.    Rechargeable lithium battery (1)    Positive electrode (2)    Negative electrode (3)    Separator (4)    Battery case (5)