La1-xCaxMnO3 (LCMO) nanowires were prepared using a simple sol-gel process and nano-channel alumina (NCA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area election diffraction (SAED) indicate that the nanowires are of monoclinic perovskite structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the diameters of nanowires are around 30 nm. Furthermore, high-resolution TEM reveals a clear lattice image of {021} planes in a LCMO nanowire. It can be expected that the method presented in this Letter is also appropriate for the preparation of nanowires of other mono-component or multi-component oxides. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.