A method of reducing non-uniform degradation in a battery cell comprising: determining a likely temperature distribution for the battery cell; determining a temperature profile of the battery cell; calculating an electrochemical reaction rate in the battery cell; determining at least one non-uniformity in the electrochemical reaction rate; inducing a non-uniformity in at least one electrode design characteristic to counteract the at least one non-uniformity in the electrochemical reaction rate; and including at least one electrode having the non-uniformity in at least one electrode design characteristic in the battery cell to drive a more uniform electrochemical reaction rate through the battery cell, which could result in decreased fatigue life, particle stress and degradation of the battery cell during, for example, but not limited to high rate operation.