TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Properties: The increased charge/discharge rate capability over that of the base alloy comprises at least a 300% greater (dis)charge rate capability at a discharge rate of 1000 mAh/g.The modified alloy has an exchange current density which is a least 40 mA/cm2 higher than that of the base alloy.The metallic catalytic particles have an face-centered-cubic crystalline structure or a NiCoMnTi and TiZr oxide support structure forming a super lattice to promote ionic diffusion and reaction. It has a higher surface area of at least 0.2 m2/g higher than the base alloy.Preferred Element: The modifying element comprises aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), tin (Sn), and optionally iron (Fe).Preferred Composition: The modified alloy further comprises 0.1-10% Al, 0.1-10% Co, 0-3.5% Fe, and 0.1-3% Sn. It comprises, in atomic percentage, 9% Ti, 26.2% Zr, 5% V, 38%Ni, 3.5% Cr, 1.5% Co, 15.6% Mn, 0.4% Al, and 0.8% Sn. It has an oxide surface layer.The oxide comprises an oxide of Mn, of Mn and Ni, of Mn, Ni, Co, Ti, and optionally Fe, or of Mn, Co, and Ti.The oxide comprises mixed fine and coarse grained oxides.The oxide layer contains metallic catalytic particles of 10-50, preferably 10-20 Angstrom in size dispersed 1-20 Angstrom apart in the oxide. EXAMPLE - An alloy containing 0.8% Sn, 1.5%Co, 0.4% Al, 5% V, 9% Ti, 26.2% Zr, 38% Ni, 3.5% Cr, and 15.6% Mn was prepared by induction melting under an argon atmosphere. The melt was held at 1600degreesC for 20 minutes to homogenize it. The liquid was cooled down to 1300degreesC and tilt-poured into a carbon steel mold. The ingots obtained were pulverized by a hydride/dehydride process without mechanical grinding. When evaluated for electrochemical capacity, the alloy showed the smallest differential between capacities at 50-12 mA/g, which indicated a good high-rate material. It also reduced the electrical formation requirement to just three cycles in consumer cylindrical cells and EV batteries, which reduction was ten fold over the prior art base alloy containing only 0.4% Sn, 5% V, 9% Ti, 26.6% Zr, 38% Ni, 5% Cr, and 16% Mn. It was easier to form, and had improved catalytic surface activity and discharge rate capability as compared to the base alloy.