This includes preparing an anode active material for {TAIL ~ r{HEAD ~ echargeable lithium batteries}}, including heat treating a mixture of Li2CO3, MnO2, MgO, Al2O3 and Co3O4 at 900 1000° C. in air or oxygen for 10 48 hours, generating a lithium containing oxide; generating metal oxide nanoparticles MO ; and dry or wet mixing 0.01 10 wt % of pulverized metal oxide nanoparticles with the lithium containing oxide to form an anode active material 