Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Reno, NV) announced that it has achieved a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery electrode materials, which will enable a new generation of rechargeable batteries to be introduced into the marketplace, as well as create new markets for rechargeable batteries. The new materials allow rechargeable batteries to be manufactured that have three times the power of existing lithium-ion batteries at the same price and with recharge times measured in a few minutes rather than hours.
The technical achievements are being praised by the battery community as truly remarkable and will likely enable a new generation of rechargeable batteries to be produced. Altair has confidentiality agreements in place with some of the world's leading battery development companies to evaluate and commercialize the battery electrode materials.
Altair's research and development efforts were allowed two new patents, and a National Science Foundation grant was successfully completed in January 2005, by Altair. New markets for fast-charging batteries will include the hand-held power tools market as well as hybrid-electric vehicles, portable electronics and medical surgery tools.
