A method of producing a lithium-ion battery includes filling at least one cell of the battery with an electrolyte followed directly with a first step of sealing the at least one cell and a second step of applying pulsating compression to the at least one cell during formation charging, the pulsating compression comprising alternating a first time period of applying a first compression force F1 greater than zero and a second time period of applying a second compression force F2, wherein F1>F2, and the formation charging includes a first charge of the battery.