Both the positive electrode and also the negative electrode preferably comprise a strip-like metal current collector covered by electrode material. The current collectors electrically contact-connect the electrode material over as large a surface area as possible. They usually consist of strip-like, sheet-like metal substrates, for example, metal foils or a metal foam or a metallized nonwoven.

To electrically contact-connect the electrodes to the housing parts, the current collectors can be directly welded to the housing parts, preferably to the inner faces of the bases of the housing parts. As an alternative, the current collectors can also be welded to the separate electrical conductor which, for its part, electrically connects to the housing parts.

All materials that can take up lithium ions and release them again are suitable electrode materials for the electrodes of the cell. Materials in this respect for the negative electrode of secondary lithium-ion systems include, in particular, materials based on carbon such as graphitic carbon or non-graphitic carbon materials capable of intercalating lithium. Lithium-metal oxide compounds and lithium-metal phosphate compounds such as LiCoO₂ and LiFePO₄, for instance are suitable for the positive electrode of secondary lithium-ion systems.

Furthermore, the electrodes can contain electrode binders and conductors. The electrode binders ensure the mechanical stability of the electrodes and provide for contact-connection of the particles composed of electrochemically active material to one another and also to the current collector. Conductors such as carbon black increase the electrical conductivity of the electrodes.

The contact lugs of the cell are, like the contact lugs of known cells, required to fix and to electrically connect the cell.