RENO, Nev., July 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTI) today announced that two of its researchers together with scientists from Ireland-based Ntera -- Xoliox, the J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic and the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces, EPF Lausanne, Switzerland have collaborated in an article published in The Journal of Electrochemical Society, a leading scientific journal, that fundamentally proves the relationship between the surface area (particle size) of nano-crystalline lithium titanate spinel and charge rate.
Altair's Timothy M. Spitler and Jan Prochazka are co-authors and contributors to the international publication's article titled, "Li Insertion into Li4Ti5O12 Spinel -- Charge Capability vs. Particle Size in Thin-Film Electrodes" that appears in the July 2003 edition of the Journal of Electrochemical Society (JES), volume 150 edition pages A1000-A1007. Founded in 1902, The Electrochemical Society (ECS) is a world leading society for solid-state and electrochemical science and technology.
Altair has developed a proprietary process to manufacture nano-size lithium titanate spinel for use in lithium ion batteries requiring fast charge and discharge rates, high durability and high energy. Altair's researchers have been working with some of the world's most renowned scientists in the electrochemical field including co-authors Ladislav Kavan of the J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry in Prague, Czech Republic and Michael Graetzel of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Altair's patented process was used to manufacture a wide range of particle-sized lithium titanate spinel materials used in the study that revealed the relationship between surface area and charge rate. This information can now be used to optimize customer requirements. With this knowledge and the ability to control particle size, Altair can produce a material that can completely charge in one hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes or one minute depending on the particle size.
During the last decade, rechargeable or secondary lithium batteries have emerged as a popular choice for powering a number of portable electronic devices including laptop computers, cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, and personal digital assistants. Market analysts say that in 2002, lithium ion technologies powered 81.5 percent of the total mobile information technology device market, rapidly displacing nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for these types of applications due to their superior durability, greater compactness, lower weight and lesser environmental impact. The lithium rechargeable battery market is about $5 billion worldwide with an annual growth rate in the range of 15 percent. Approximately 30 percent of this rechargeable battery market, or $1.5 billion, is the battery materials or components market that includes electrodes, electrolytes and separators.
Reductions in automobile fuel consumption and exhaust gases will significantly benefit global environment. Automobile manufacturers are currently focusing their research and development on advancing the hybrid automobile, the electric automobile, and automobiles driven by a fuel cell. The major challenge to overcome is the development of rechargeable battery technology. A lighter, more compact battery with higher performance and a competitive price is necessary to raise the performance of current vehicles. Hybrid automobile development is increasing and several manufactures already have full-scale production with substantial market growth forecast. Lithium ion technologies are now being developed to replace the currently used nickel metal hydride battery offering higher power density, smaller volume, less weight and reduced heat generation.
"There is a continuing need to create new materials with improved lithium ion insertion properties because this process is directly related to the energy density of the battery," said Altair president Dr. Rudi E. Moerck. "Our research has focused on the use of lithium titanate spinel. The three dimensional spinel structure of this material at the nanometer level facilitates lithium ion insertion. In addition," continued Dr. Moerck, "we can prepare this material with a high surface area so that it can benefit from ion insertion at the surface. We have an on-going research and development effort in a range of nano-sized electrode grade materials using its proprietary nano-materials process."
Author Biographies
Timothy Spitler -- Manager, Research and Development, Altair Nanomaterials, Inc. Previously, Mr. Spitler was Senior Research Engineer for BHP Minerals' Center for Minerals Technology in Reno, Nevada. Mr. Spitler received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Tri-State University, Angola, Indiana, where he received the AIChE Design Award. Prior to his position with BHP, Mr. Spitler worked for Dupont White Pigment and Mineral Products Operations and Dupont Freon R&D.
Jan Prochazka -- Principal Research Scientist, Altair Nanomaterials, Inc. Prior to his current position with Altair Nanomaterials, Mr. Prochazka was Metallurgical Engineer for BHP Minerals' Center for Minerals Technology in Reno, Nevada. Prior to joining BHP, he worked as a lightwave research scientist at the Research Institute of Telecommunication in the Czech Republic. Mr. Prochazka received his Masters of Science Degree in Chemical Technology from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a unique industry sector. Altair Nanotechnologies is positioning itself through product innovation within this emerging industry to become a leading supplier of nanomaterials and technology worldwide. Altair owns a proprietary technology for making nanocrystalline materials of unique quality both economically and in large quantities. The company is currently developing special nanomaterials with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, fuel cells, solar cells, advanced energy storage devices, thermal spray coatings, catalysts, paints and environmental remediation. For additional information on Altair's nanoparticle materials, visit www.altairnano.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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