Due to the uneven production of renewable energy, it is impossible to use these energy sources for transportation. The proposed research in the CEENEMA project will bridge the gap between renewable energy and electrical devices. Light, high-capacity, high-powered and safe Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs) can power the needs of electric vehicles. Nanostructure-based energy storage offers high opportunities. In that sense, the performance of anode material can increase by making nanocomposites. Furthermore, there is an urgency to replace graphite anodes which limit today the power density of LIB. Our goal is two-fold to reach industrial transfer within a short period of time: 1°) In a model SnO2 based anode material, the lithium storage mechanism can be described by a first irreversible reaction where Li+ ions are oxidized by SnO2 into Li2O, which forms metallic Sn, followed by an alloying-dealloying reaction between Sn and Li+. In this case, one of the most efficient ways to increase the initial Coulombic Efficiency (CE) is to convert the metal Sn into SnO2 and promote the decomposition of Li2O during the charge process (vs. Li metal). This reaction can greatly improve the reversible capacity by increasing the theoretical lithium storage capacity from 4.4 Li+ per SnO2 (782 mAh/g) to 8.4 Li+ (1493 mAh/g). One aim of this project is to investigate the mechanism and conditions for catalytic effect to promote the reverse reaction of the allegedly irreversible first reaction during the process. Thanks to this model system, we plan to use SnO2/GeO2-graphene oxide nanocomposites as a platform for the catalytic mechanism study. Based on the SnO2/Ge or SnO2/GeO2system, we shall design and synthesize nanostructures that will enable high initial CE and ultra-stable high performance rate capability anode materials as well as further improve the battery efficiency, especially the stability at large current densities. In addition, the content proportion of SnO2, GeO2 and graphene will be optimized for accurate cost estimation of this process. Other possible catalysts including CuO, Co3O4, Fe2O3, MnO2, NiO, Au, Pt, etc. will be tested. Our joint research also targets at an innovative approach of incorporating hybrid-nanostructures with catalytic effect engineering (i.e. promote irreversible reaction) and improve the performance of anode materials beyond theoretical capacity. The design of metal oxide hybrid nanostructures will provide better understanding for metal oxide catalytic engineering. 2°) This approach of a new type will be declined in an enlarged vision which is market-oriented since high-rate production of nanoparticles with perfectly-designed features is mandatory to produce LIBs at low cost. An original process, based on discharges in dielectric liquids, is foreseen as the best answer to this issue in terms of innocuousness, environmentally-friendly processing and energy-saving. Chemically and structurally well-controlled nanoparticles with narrow size-distribution between 2 and 20 nm will be produced by discharges in water or liquid nitrogen in micrometric interelectrode gap distance. The production rate will be about 100 to 1000 times faster than nanosecond laser ablation in liquids. Surface functionalization of nanoparticles will be ensured by different means like adding acids (HCl or HNO3, e.g.) to water during discharges or microplasma jet at atmospheric pressure in contact with water, a new process discovered recently for surface engineering of nanomaterials. Coupled with plasma diagnostics like time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy and picosecond iCCD imaging, the most advanced materials characterizations will be used to optimize the nanoparticles design and properties. Our approach is unique and promising for low-cost high-efficient LIB applications. The proposed topics should generate capability and manpower development for Singapore and France.