We investigate the properties of nanosized TiO2 rutile by electrochemical methods and thermal analysis. The material shows a high capacity, high rate performance and excellent cycling stability. We can clearly prove the safer character of rutile electrodes by thermal analysis. The lithiated rutile electrodes exhibit exothermic reactions with a very small energy release and they are mainly related to surface film (SEI) decomposition. The impedance spectra strongly indicate the formation of a surface film, but the semicircles of charge transfer and SEI formation cannot be resolved at any potential. In addition a new pouch cell design which is suitable for in situ measurements such as FDR. Raman and XRD is introduced and its efficiency is proven by in situ optical microscopy. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.