NOVELTY - The method involves forming an electrochemical cell (10) including a non-lithium negative electrode (12) in contact with a lithium ion permeable negative electrode current collector (14), and a lithium ion permeable positive electrode (20, 20') in contact with a lithium ion permeable positive electrode current collector (22). An electrolyte (30) is introduced into the electrochemical cell. Voltage potential is applied across the electrochemical cell for pre-lithiating the non-lithium negative electrode and the positive electrode with lithium ions from a lithium source electrode (16).    USE - Method for forming a rechargeable lithium-based battery (claimed) used in stationary and portable devices such as hand-held consumer electronic devices, battery-powered automobiles and aerospace industries.    ADVANTAGE - The method enables performing in-situ pre-lithiation to eliminate need to perform additional manufacturing steps to form the full electrochemical cell and eliminate previously mentioned cleaning and drying processes to be performed after pre-lithiating in a half-cell, thus eliminating possibility of deformation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The electrochemical cell is selected from a group consisting of a pouch cell, a cylindrical cell, and a coin cell. The non-lithium negative electrode is lithium ion permeable negative electrode. The electrochemical cell is a lithium ion battery and a lithium sulfur battery. The non-lithium negative electrode includes negative active material, binder, and conductive filler. The negative active material is selected from a group consisting of graphite, amorphous carbon, silicon, silicon alloy, silicon oxide, silicon-carbon composite, tin oxide and titanium oxide. The positive electrode includes positive active material, binder and conductive filler. The lithium ion permeable negative electrode current collector is selected from a group consisting of a copper mesh, a nickel mesh, and a porous carbon paper. The lithium ion permeable positive electrode current collector is selected from a group consisting of an aluminum mesh, a nickel mesh, and a porous carbon paper. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for an electrochemical cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of an electrochemical cell.    Electrochemical cell (10)    Non-lithium negative electrode (12)    Lithium ion permeable negative electrode current collector (14)    Lithium source electrode (16)    Lithium ion permeable positive electrode (20, 20')    Lithium ion permeable positive electrode current collector (22)    Electrolyte (30)