▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - A lithium secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte or separator-electrolyte assembly arranged between the cathode and anode, where the anode includes an anode current collector, initially having no lithium or lithium alloy as an anode active material supported by the anode current collector when the battery is made and prior to a charge or discharge operation, and a thin layer of a high-elasticity polymer in ionic contact with the electrolyte and having a recoverable tensile strain of 2-700%, lithium ion conductivity of more than 10-8 S/cm at room temperature and thickness of 0.5 nm to 100 mum. USE - Lithium secondary battery used for electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, and portable electronic devices, such as lap-top computer and mobile phone. ADVANTAGE - The secondary battery has high specific capacity, high specific energy, high degree of safety, and long and stable cycle life. The high-elasticity polymer-based anode-protecting layer is surprisingly effective in alleviating the problems of lithium metal dendrite formation and lithium metal-electrolyte reactions which otherwise lead to capacity decay and potentially internal shorting and explosion of the lithium secondary batteries. The high-elasticity polymer is capable of expanding or shrinking congruently or conformably with the anode layer, which helps to maintain a good contact between the current collector and the protective layer, enabling uniform re-deposition of lithium ions without interruption. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for method for manufacturing lithium battery, which involves: (a) providing a cathode active material layer and an optional cathode current collector to support the cathode active material layer; (b) providing anode current collector, but no lithium metal or lithium alloy as an anode active material in anode; (c) providing electrolyte and optional separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode; and (d) providing an anode-protective layer of a high-elasticity polymer arranged between the anode current collector and electrolyte or separator. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of lithium metal battery cell.