Using an improved apparatus to investigate the activation process of single particles of hydrogen storage alloy LaNi(3.55)Co(0.75)Mn(0.4)Al(0.3), we directly showed the particle's morphology changes during the activation process. Electrochemical proper-ties were systematically monitored during the activation process of the single particles. We finally proposed a new parameter - normalized output rate (NOR) - to evaluate the output performance of the electrode material. in addition to revealing what occurred during the activation process, we provided a program for the quick testing of electrode materials. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu.