There are several approaches that can be used to
mitigate first cycle SEI loss, including (1) a sacrificial cathode that is
replaced after one cycle, (2) prelithiation in a temporary battery
using lithium foil, (3) excess cathode to offset the SEI loss, and (4)
prelithiation with SLMP. Approaches (1) and (2) are undesirable, as
they require a temporary battery to be fabricated, cycled,
disassembled, and the anode inserted into a new battery. Approaches
(3) and (4) only require a single battery to be built, but the use of
excess cathode results in additional inactive mass after the first cycle,
which lowers the energy density.