Active material with expansion structure for use in lithium ion batteries

An active material layer for an electrode of a lithium ion battery comprising:

• a first active material comprising silicon-based particles;
• a second active material comprising graphite;
• and
• conduits each in physical contact at one end with the first active material and at an opposite end with the second active material, the conduits being conductive and of a material different from the first active material and the second active material, the first active material separated from the second active material by a length of a conduit during delithiation, the length of the conduit providing area for expansion of the first active material parallel to the length of the conduit and toward the second active material during lithiation while maintaining electrical contact between the first active material and the second active material.