Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer market because of their lightweight and rechargeable property. However, for the application as power sources of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which need excellent cycling performance, high energy density, high power density, capacity, and low cost, new materials still need to be developed to meet the demands.;In this dissertation work, three different strategies were developed to improve the properties of the electrode of lithium batteries. First, the voltage profile and lithium diffusion battier of LiM1/2Mn 3/2O4 (M=Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) were predicted by first principles theory. The computation results suggest that doping with Co or Cu can potentially lower Li diffusion barrier compared with Ni doping. Our experimental research has focused on LiNixCuyMn 2-x-yO4 (0 |