RENO, Nev., July 1, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTI) today announced that it has been featured in the June 2003 issue of Industrial Minerals, a division of Metal Bulletin, plc., the only international publication devoted to non-metallic, non-fuel minerals. Industrial Minerals analyzes markets as diverse as ceramics, refractories, abrasives, metallurgy, paints and coatings, paper, plastics, construction, fertilizers, chemicals, glass, and absorbents. Additionally, Altair was one of the public companies featured in the June 2003 issue of the Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report, a publication that identifies the companies that will profit from the nanotech revolution. The Report keeps the public informed on the latest developments in that sector that, according to the publication, will be worth $1 trillion by 2015. Altair was featured in the publication's Nanotech Micro Cap Roster section.
In the Industrial Minerals article, entitled Nanoparticles -- The power of fine, Senior Assistant Editor Penny Crossley commented, "The development of nano-scale mineral particles, measured in terms of nanometers (1nm = 10(-9) meters), is a fast-moving area of mineral processing and there are specialist markets available to those who can implement the technology." Crossley went on to add, "Nanoparticle technology is on the cutting edge of mineral processing due to the high value market opportunities open to nanosize minerals. Altair Nanotechnologies is one of the pioneers of nanoparticle development."
"We are one of a few public companies focusing primarily on the development of nanomaterials and nano products," said Altair's President Dr. Rudi E. Moerck. "Over the last 12 to 18 months, we have seen significant media attention pertaining to nanotechnology, along with announcements from the materials industry discussing the improved, stronger and more protective plastics, coatings, ceramic thermal spray coatings that have all been made possible through the use of nanomaterials.
"I believe the discussions concerning the effect nanotechnology will have on our day-to-day lives effectively ended when the U.S. House of Representatives recently approved $2.36 billion for funding nanotechnology research and development," continued Dr. Moerck. "Altair's patented nanomaterials technology will allow the company to take advantage of the additional opportunities offered by the DOD and the DOE, as well as multiple programs, including the National NanoScience Initiative led by the National Science Foundation and the Advance Technology Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Recently we received a $1 million grant in conjunction with the University of Western Michigan to develop titanium dioxide nanoparticle sensors for the detection of chemical and biological weapons. We have engaged DykemaGossett, PLLC, a Washington, D.C. law firm, to assist us in obtaining additional funding for our nanotechnology development."
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
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual and future results to be materially different than suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release as well as other risks identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.