Altair Nanotechnologies Gets Battery Order

Altair Nano’s battery program got a lift today with its first ever order--$750,000 worth of “nano-lithium ion batteries” from Phoenix Motorcars. Phoenix is perhaps not an automotive powerhouse. However, it does plan on building several thousand freeway-ready zero emissions electric cars over the next few years.

Altair’s principal advance in battery technology is the introduction of a nanostructured lithium titanate spinel oxide electrode that does away with the graphite materials previously used for the negative electrode in lithium ion batteries. Partial breakdown of graphite causes some safety and charging issues in lithium batteries, especially at low termperatures. Altair says its current lithium ion batteries are capable of recharging in 10 minutes to 90% of capacity. The nanostructuring of the electrode apparently increases the surface area available to lithium ions. Altair says its batteries work fine at -30 degrees C., something ordinary lithium ion batteries just don’t do. On the other hand, Altair’s batteries so far have a lower energy density than conventional lithium ion batteries, certainly a consideration for electric vehicles.

The market for rechargeable batteries is about $6 billion worldwide, with lithium ion batteries taking half of it. So Altair looks to be in a good space if their batteries work out.


ERNI Back in the Black

The Edwards Real Nanotech Index edged back into the black last week, 1.6% above its initial price in February. Nanophase, NVE Corp., Cambridge Display, and Harris & Harris showed good gains. Next week, we will introduce a new ERNI component, Luna Innovations [NASDAQ—LUNA], which held an IPO recently.

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