NOVELTY - Loading a negative electrode (114) with supplemental lithium to form a preloaded negative electrode for a lithium ion battery where the negative electrode comprises an active lithium intercalation/alloying composition having a total theoretical capacity and a polymer binder, comprises electrochemically intercalating/alloying lithium from a lithium source material into the active composition to form preloaded lithium in the active composition, and de-intercalating/de-alloying electrochemically at least partially the preloaded lithium from the active composition.    USE - The method is useful for loading a negative electrode with supplemental lithium to form a preloaded negative electrode, where the negative electrode is useful in a lithium ion battery (claimed), which is used in rechargeable batteries including mobile communication devices (e.g. phones, mobile entertainment devices (including MP3 players and televisions)), portable computers, and transportation devices (including automobiles and fork lifts).    ADVANTAGE - The method exhibits synergistic effect with high capacity lithium rich positive electrode composition along with the supplemental lithium resulting in the extremely stable cycling properties.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Loading a negative electrode with supplemental lithium to form a preloaded negative electrode for a lithium ion battery where the negative electrode (114) comprises an active lithium intercalation/alloying composition having a total theoretical capacity and a polymer binder, comprises electrochemically intercalating/alloying lithium from a lithium source material into the active composition to form preloaded lithium in the active composition, and de-intercalating/de-alloying electrochemically at least partially the preloaded lithium from the active composition, where the preloaded lithium in the preloaded negative electrode comprises 2-75% of the total theoretical capacity of the active composition. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) forming a lithium ion battery with supplemental lithium having a negative electrode and a positive electrode (116), where the positive electrode comprises a positive electrode active material and a binder, comprising closing a circuit to load supplemental lithium from a sacrificial lithium source into the lithium intercalation/alloying composition in the negative electrode so the supplemental lithium is associated with the negative electrode as preloaded lithium; and    (2) forming a lithium ion battery comprising supplemental lithium, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte comprising lithium ions, where the negative electrode comprises graphitic carbon and the positive electrode comprises a composition comprising lithium compounds of formula (Li1+xM1-yO2-zFz) (I), comprising adding elemental lithium, and/or a lithium alloy to the negative electrode.    M = at least one metal elements;    x = 0.01-0.33;    y = x-0.2 to x+0.2, where y is greater than or equal to 0; and    z = 0-0.2.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic side view of an electrode stack with an optional sacrificial electrode and optional supplemental lithium within the cathode, i.e. positive electrode.    Negative electrode (114)    Positive electrode (116)    First separator (118)    Sacrificial electrode (120)    Second separator (122)