Cell design to prevent over-discharge in li-ion batteries

According to an embodiment, a lithium-ion battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and anode, a current collector on the anode, and a layer of electronically conducting material between the anode and current collector. The layer of electronically conducting material is configured to, responsive to a potential of the battery crossing a phase-transition potential of the electronically conducting material, phase-transition from a conductor to an insulator to prevent dissolution of metal ions from the current collector into the anode.