In this paper we report the strategy followed in our laboratories for the progress of lithium ion batteries. The results show that nanotechnology is a very promising tool for achieving breakthrough in electrode and electrolyte materials. The concept is demonstrated for the cases of metal storage and metal oxide anodes, phospho olivine lithium iron phosphate cathodes and solvent-free, poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymer electrolytes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.