Abstract: The principle and modern aspects of lithium ion batteries are briefly introduced. Then we summarize the research on nano-scaled materials for lithium storage in the Laboratory for Solid State Ionics, where the structural evolution of nano-SnO, nano-Si particles and nano-SnSb alloy during lithium insertion/extraction has been studied by high resolution transmission electron microscope. In addition, the electrochemical properties of hard carbon spherules (HCS) and nano-SnSb alloy pinned HCS composites are described. The large lithium storage capacity and cyclic capability of these materials make them promising candidates for the anode of lithium ion batteries.