An electrochemical thermal model was developed to study the internal short-circuit behavior of a lithium ion cell. The model was used to understand several experimental observations: several short-circuit scenarios possible in a lithium ion cell were simulated and the power generated from each case was calculated. Influence of parameters like the SOC and initial temperature of the cell was studied. Experiments were carried out to verify the predictions made using the model. Some pointers are provided towards design of a safer cell. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.