NOVELTY - An electrochemically active electrode material (308) comprises nanostructured template (306) containing metal silicide; and layer of electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template, where electrochemically active material configured to take in and release lithium ions during cycling of lithium ion cell, where nanostructured template facilitates conduction of electrical current to and from electrochemically active material and provides support to the layer of electrochemically active material.    USE - As an electrochemically active electrode material (308) for use in lithium ion cell (claimed), fuel cells, hetero junction solar cell active materials, various forms of current collectors, and/or absorption coatings.    ADVANTAGE - The electrochemically active electrode material includes a high surface area template containing metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template serve as mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding electrode capacity per surface area. The thickness of the active material layer is maintained below its fracture threshold to preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling. The thickness and/or composition of the active layer can be specifically profiled to reduce swelling near the substrate interface and preserve this interface connection. The high capacity electrode active materials can be deployed as nanostructures and used without sacrificing battery performance. Even major swelling during lithiation, such as is observed with silicon, does not deteriorate the structural integrity of nanomaterials because of their small size; and provides fast inexpensive deposition technique.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) lithium ion electrode for use in lithium ion cell comprising electrochemically active electrode material comprising nanostructured template comprising metal silicide, and layer of electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template, and current collector substrate in electrical communication with electrochemically active electrode material and comprising metal of metal silicide;    (2) lithium ion cell comprising electrochemically active electrode material comprising nanostructured template comprising metal silicide; and layer of electrochemically active material coating nanostructured template, and current collector substrate in electrical communication with electrochemically active electrode material and comprising metal of metal silicide; and    (3) fabricating lithium ion cell electrode for use in a lithium ion cell involving receiving a substrate, forming nanostructured template comprising metal silicide on surface of substrate; and forming layer of electrochemically active material on nanostructured template.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows schematic view of initial, intermediate and final electrode structures.    Substrate (302)    Surface (304)    Nanostructured template (306)    Active electrode material (308)    Active layer (309)