What is claimed:1. An electrochemically negative active material capable of incorporation into an anode, the electrochemically negative active material comprising:a silicon alloy material comprising an active phase having the formula:SiwM1xCyOz,where w, x, y, and z represent atomic % values and w+x+y+z=1;M1 comprises Sn, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mg, Al, W, Mo, B, or P; w >0;x >0; y >0; and z >0; anda metal-based material having the formula:M2aObAc, where a, b, and c represent atomic % values and a+b+c=100%;M2 comprises Si, Ti, Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn;A is an anion;a >0; b >0; and c >0, provided that at least one of b and c is not zero; andwherein the silicon alloy material and the metal-based material contact one another.2. The electrochemically negative active material according to claim 1, wherein A is an anion comprising a hydroxide, nitrate, carbonate, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, PO3, or P2O7.3. The electrochemically negative active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrochemically negative active material comprises the silicon alloy material in an amount of between 50 and 99 wt. %, based on the total weight of the electrochemically active material.4. The electrochemically negative active material according to claim 3, wherein the electrochemically negative active material comprises the metal-based material in an amount of between 0.1 and 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the electrochemically active material.5. The electrochemically negative active material according to claim 3, wherein the Scherrer grain size of the active phase of the silicon alloy material is no greater than 50 nanometers.6. The electrochemically negative active material according to claim 1, wherein the silicon alloy material is present as particles, and wherein the metal-based material is present as a coating disposed on the particles.7. A negative electrode composition comprising:the electrochemically active material according to claim 1; anda binder.8. A negative electrode composition according to claim 7, further comprising graphite.9. A negative electrode comprising:the negative electrode composition according to claim 7; anda current collector.10. An electrochemical cell comprising:the negative electrode of claim 9;a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode composition comprising lithium; andan electrolyte comprising lithium.11. An electronic device comprising the electrochemical cell according to claim 10.12. A method of making an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:providing a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode composition comprising lithium;providing a negative electrode according to claim 9;providing an electrolyte comprising lithium; andincorporating the positive electrode, negative electrode, and the electrolyte into an electrochemical cell.