Altairnano

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Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. is a Reno, Nevada-based research company that develops nanotechnology-based solutions for energy storage and the life sciences. In particular, the company is well known for its "NanoSafe" lithium-ion battery technology that is used in battery-electric vehicles. The firm is publicly-traded on the Nasdaq.

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[edit] Battery technology

AltairNano markets its key battery technology as "NanoSafe", which is essentially an alternative electrode technology for lithium ion batteries. Unlike other nanotechnology-based batteries, such as those marketed by A123 Systems, Altair's cells replace the conventional anode(as opposed to the cathode), and utilize a "nano-structured lithium titanate spinel oxide". NanoSafe is not the first battery to use spinel structuring, but earlier batteries have used manganese oxide in the cathode.

Altair claims that NanoSafe cells have the following advantages and disadvantages versus conventional, graphite electrode-based lithium ion cells:

Advantages

  • Faster recharge (down to 10 minutes for a full-sized battery pack though with a experimental 250kw charger not a conventional 5kw charger at home)

AeroVironment claims to have independently verified the fast recharge times associated with the NanoSafe battery technology.[1]

  • Greater stability under electrical and mechanical stress (i.e. the cells cannot catch fire)
  • Longer life cycle even under constant use (tested up to 25,000 deep cycles)
  • Higher power density at room temperature than conventional Li-Ion cells
  • Working temperature range between -35 °C and +75 °C. (normal Lithium-Ion batteries generally have an operating temperature between 0 °C and 40 °C)

Disadvantages

  • Lower energy density than the best conventional Li-Ion cells (100 versus 120 Wh/kg)[2]
  • Currently expensive to produce (US$2 per Wh) due to low manufacturing volumes

[edit] Partnerships

AltairNano shares its battery technology with battery electric vehicle manufacturers. Currently, Phoenix Motorcars of Ontario, California using NanoSafe in its sport-utility vehicles. The Lightning Car Company in the UK has a license for using NanoSafe cells in its upcoming sports cars. Altair also has a working relationship with AES Corporation, thus linking it to the stationary energy storage industry. In June 2007, AltairNano entered an agreement with ISE Corporation to jointly develop and commercially supply the "NanoSafe" battery technology for use in hybrid electric and all electric heavy duty vehicles. [3]

[edit] Competitors

  • A123 Systems produce lithium ion batteries with similar safety and capacity but not the same life cycles and fast charge.

[edit] References

  1. ^ May 30th 2007, autobloggreen.com: AeroVironment successfully quick charges Altair Nanotechnologies battery
  2. ^ May 7th 2007, AutoblogGreen Q&A: AltairNano CEO Alan Gotcher
  3. ^ June 4, 2007, b2i.us: ISE Corporation and Altairnano to Jointly Develop Rechargeable Lithium Titanate Battery Packs for Heavy Duty Vehicle Applications

[edit] See also

[edit] External links