Abstract: An anode active material for a lithium ion battery, or other electrochemical device, is disclosed. The material comprises particles of Fe Al Li O, wherein Fe is present in an amount of at least 10 wt % to at most 90 wt %, Al is present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % to at most 90 wt %, and Li is optionally present, in an amount of 0 wt % or higher, wherein wt % is expressed in terms of the total mass of the particles of Fe Al Li O. Also disclosed are nanostructures in which the particles are core particles, with carbon nanotubes anchored at one end to the core particles. A method for the manufacture of such nanostructures is described, along with a method for processing such nanostructures for a lithium ion battery.