NOVELTY - An electrode (100) comprises a conductive substrate (102) having a first surface; a nanostructured template (104); an electrochemically active material layer (106) coating the template; and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. At least a portion of the electrochemically active material layer further comprises a moderating additive that reduces swelling of the electrochemically active material layer upon lithiation.    USE - As an electrode for use in lithium ion cell (claimed) or battery; and used in fuel cells (e.g. for anodes, cathodes and electrolytes), hetero junction solar cell active materials, various forms of current collectors, and absorption coatings.    ADVANTAGE - The electrode provides greater contact area with the substrate, improves adhesion, and reduces contact resistance; and provides lower rate/higher capacity in cell or battery. Use of metal silicide in the electrode provides high surface area, high conductivity of silicide materials, and enable use of fast inexpensive deposition techniques. The step of preserving interface adhesion during lithiation cycles improves overall battery performance by preventing material islanding, delamination, and detachment at stressed and or weak interfaces.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for fabricating an electrode for use in a lithium ion cell, involves receiving a conductive substrate comprising a first surface; roughening the first surface of the substrate; forming a nanostructured template comprising a metal silicide on the first surface of the substrate; forming an intermediate layer on at least a portion of the nanostructured template; and forming a layer of an electrochemically active material over the intermediate layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic diagram of an electrode structure containing a nanostructure template and an electrochemically active layer.    Electrode (100)    Conductive substrate (102)    Nanostructured template (104)    Active material-template interface (105)    Electrochemically active material layer (106)