Posted on 09/17/2006 11:46:42 AM PDT by PeaceBeWithYou
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., a leading provider of advanced nanomaterials and alternative energy solutions, detailed why its NanoSafe rechargeable, nano titanate battery technology provides fundamental improvements, including high power versus other rechargeable batteries.In anticipation of Altairnano's delivery of its first NanoSafe battery pack for use in an electric vehicle in September, this is the final of four planned news releases identifying features of Altairnano NanoSafe batteries that may prove advantageous in the power rechargeable battery market. In the three previous releases, Altairnano detailed why its nano titanate battery technology delivers high battery safety, rapid recharge and long battery life. The combination of these features has the potential to make Altairnano's NanoSafe batteries ideal for power applications such as electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
How Does a Rechargeable Battery Work?
A battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a porous separator that keeps the electrodes from touching, and an ionic electrolyte, which is the conducting medium for ions (charged particles) between the positive and the negative electrodes. When the battery is being charged, ions transfer from the positive to the negative electrodes via the electrolyte. On discharge these ions return to the positive electrode releasing energy in the process.
Existing Lithium Ion Batteries
Rechargeable lithium ion batteries currently use graphite for the negative electrode and typically lithium cobalt oxide for the positive electrode. The electrolyte is a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent which is flammable.
An important attribute of large format batteries is their ability to deliver power quickly. During charge, lithium ions deposit inside the graphite particles. However, the rate at which lithium ions can be removed during discharge - the useful power-producing cycle of a battery - is limited by the electro-chemical properties of the graphite and the size of the graphite particles. The electrochemical properties relate to the existence of a high resistance crust (call the Solid Electrolyte Interface or SEI) that impedes the removal of lithium - the first step in power production. Also, graphite's large particle size means that lithium atoms inside the particle must travel a long distance to escape. This further increases the impedance and reduces power.
So power is restricted by the ion removal capability in lithium ion batteries, resulting in power levels of the order of 1000 watts per kilogram (W/Kg). Also, power can be affected by external factors such as temperature. At low temperatures, the lithium ion removal rate is significantly less than at room temperature resulting in power delivery at these temperatures that is greatly reduced.
Given that power delivery is governed by fundamental properties of the materials the only option is to change the materials and chemistry of the battery.
The Altairnano NanoSafe Battery
Altairnano solved this problem by using an innovative approach to rechargeable battery chemistry by replacing graphite with a patented nano-titanate material as the negative electrode in its NanoSafe batteries. The outcome is that Altairnano's NanoSafe batteries deliver power per unit weight and unit volume several times that of conventional lithium ion batteries. Altairnano laboratory measurements indicate power density as high as 4000 W/Kg and over 5000W/litre. By using nano-titanate materials as the negative electrode material, the formation of an SEI is eliminated. In addition, the nano-titanate particles are up to 100 times smaller than a typical graphite particle thereby greatly reducing the distance a lithium atom must travel to be released from the particle. These properties also mean that even at very cold temperatures, a nano-titanate battery will produce high power.
The same technology also dramatically increases battery charge and discharge rates; rapid charge is important for next generation electric vehicles so they could be charged in a few minutes rather than hours as with current lithium ion technology. As has been indicated in previous releases the NanoSafe cell has demonstrated that surges of power can be delivered without risking thermal runaway or performance damage to the battery.
Altairnano will be demonstrating its NanoSafe battery technology at the California Air Resources Board Zero Emission Vehicles meeting in Sacramento, September 25th through 27th, 2006.
That's the most damning statistic. On the other hand, if you want to get into a leading edge tech stock on the front end, that's the kinda stock you buy. The problem is that 99% of them end up in bankruptcy. You gotta pick the right ones.
Their main business seems to be titanium dioxide pigment. I wondered where that came from. It's very white.
The company was founded in 1973 as Diversified Mines Limited and changed its name
to Tex-U.S. Oil & Gas, Inc. in 1981.
Later, it changed its name
to Orex Resources, Ltd. in 1986;
to Carlin Gold Company, Inc. in 1988;
to Altair International Gold, Inc. in 1994;
to Altair International, Inc. in 1996; and
to Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. in 2002.
Further clue
Yeah, now that you mention it, I read an artcle several months ago trashing this company.
A press release like the quote one is a good sign that something is fishy. If they really had something revolutionary, they would demonstrate first and brag later, so that independent experts had time top evaluate their claims.
bump
This is a developing area of technology. The question of whether they are at the forefront of it is a different question, though.
It may recharge in minutes at a service station that's connected to a major power line, but not at home
To recharge a 52 KWhr battery in 10 minutes would require an electrical source able to deliver over 300,000 watts
Thanks for the research on corporate shapeshifting. Still, nanotech mineral science is interesting, and having the particular kind of clay in what was a non-high prodcuing mine can mean something of found value these days.
I bought this stock a few years ago at $0.80 and sold it at $4.25 and have been following it out of habit.
They had been getting trashed by motley fool for years, and recently it seems that with ALTI's new CEO motley fool has backed off somewhat.
Also, IMHO, there has been interest among some larger investors.
The stock has been kind of stationary the past couple of years. They are showing negative earnings although the CEO is pulling down almost half a million.
Thanks....is it for real ....is the question.
I tend to look at speculative stocks in a diffeent way than most.
I do not care about net earnings, actually I'd rather they don't have positive earnings.
They do need to maintain enough cash and have the ability to raise cash if needed without diluting the shareholders too much.
Revenues and revenue growth is the most important thing to me.
As far as ALTI, this one has yet to prove they can sell anything. If they can generate sales from either of their lines it would be a big big step in the right direction.
I DO NOT own this stock at this time.
They also aren't paying a dividend, which a company with a gold mine should be able to do. A dividend is not a great indicator, Ford and GM are both headed out the door and paying dividends all the way, but I already own enough of these speculative, non-dividend stocks and they are all doing nothing.
My house has 400 amp service installed. If I turned everything else off, I could charge that battery in 35 minutes.
They are out of the gold business. Maybe they are wishing they would have stayed in that business, timing is everything.
I would consider "investing" in a company that pays a dividend if I were looking for solid stabile growth with a little income while you wait. The dividend attracts and keeps more institutional investors in the stock.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.