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Chuck
10-27-2006, 12:58 PM
Altairnano Battery Cells Complete 15,000 Charge/Recharge Cycles with Minimal Loss of Charge Capacity. (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061026005107&newsLang=en)

Business Wire - Oct. 27, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Insight_Pack.jpg
Bye Bye Ni-MH's.

RENO, Nev Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI (http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=alti&d=t)), a leading provider of advanced nanomaterials for use in energy, automotive, life sciences and industrial applications, announced today that, in ongoing testing, it has completed 15,000 deep charge/discharge cycles of its innovative NanoSafe battery cells. Even after 15,000 cycles the cells still retained over 85% of their original charge capacity. This represents a significant improvement over conventional, commercially available rechargeable battery technologies such as lithium ion, nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium. These other commercially available rechargeable batteries typically retain that level of charge capacity only through approximately 1,000 deep charge/discharge cycles.

The battery cells were tested in Altairnano’s labs at 10C (6 minute) charge and discharge rates. They were deep charged and discharged meaning they were taken to 100% charge and 0% charge respectively during the 6-minute cycles. Although tests involved full charges and discharges, partial charging and discharging of the battery does not appear to impact the life or the holding charge capacity of the batteries i.e. they exhibit no memory loss.

In theory, a 15,000 charge cycle life would translate into a battery that would last greater than 40 years if it was charged daily, as would be the case in an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle environment. However, in practice, other wear and tear factors would realistically limit the actual life of the batteries to probably 20 years.

“These results represent a remarkable achievement by our battery development group. We believe that the commercial implications of such an extended life battery are significant and would seem to provide us with an as yet unmatched competitive advantage in the electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle markets, and potentially other markets,” said Altairnano President and CEO Alan J. Gotcher Ph.D.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced novel, ceramic nanomaterials. Altairnano’s leading edge scientists are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process. For more information visit www.altairnano.com (http://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 results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks include the risk that the NanoSafe™ batteries results of subsequent tests, including in-vehicle tests, will not confirm the test results described in this release, that the actual cycle life of batteries in a vehicle will be lower than suggested by the tests results as a result of degrading of materials or other factors, that a market for electric vehicles or other machinery potentially using the NanoSafe™ batteries will not develop and that, even if such a market develops, potential customers will select competing technologies after weighing all relevant factors. In addition, other risks are 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.

xcel
10-27-2006, 06:54 PM
Hi Chuck:

___I keep reading about these breakthroughs yet I see none in the real working world? If they have the Li-Ion safety boxed in at the huge C-Rate's mentioned in the press release, the ICE as we know it is dead. The problem is we keep reading about press releases. Where are these super batteries!!!

___Then there is the nagging issue about bringing them to market at a reasonable cost? 30 kWh Li-Ion pack for < $3K would just about do it as the OEM’s would be falling all over themselves to purchase them for a future PHEV in quantity ...

___Good Luck

___Wayne

philmcneal
10-28-2006, 02:51 AM
i bet that cost like a house to own!

hey right now anyone has an idea how expensive is lion compared to nimh?

xcel
10-28-2006, 03:06 AM
Hi Phil:

___I think the following link “may” answer your question about a NiMH vs. Li-Ion although cap for the price is a question I have not yet found an answer too … yet.

Johnson Controls sees hybrid engines in 5-8 pct of market. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2091)

___Good Luck

___Wayne



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