How long do lithium ion cells last?

We review past work associated with degradation mechanisms common to lithium ion batteries utilizing metal oxide positive electrodes and lithiated carbon negative electrodes. Much more has been published on the topic of chemical degradation (e.g., solvent reduction at the negative and solvent oxidation and the positive) relative to that of mechanical degradation. The last two sections of this paper outline the need and an approach to comprehend both degradation modes for a more complete understanding of wear-out mechanisms.