Altair Nanotechnologies Details Long Life Features of Its Nano-Titanate Battery

particle fatigue breakage and diminished performance until the battery is no longer useful.

The Altairnano NanoSafe™ Battery

Altairnano solved this problem 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.

This nano-titanate material is a "zero strain" material in terms of lithium ion internal deposition and release. The lithium ions have the same size as the sites they occupy in the nano-titanate particles. As a result the nano-titanate particles do not have to expand or shrink when the ions are entering or leaving the nano-titanate particles, therefore resulting in no (zero) strain to the nano-titanate material. This property results in a battery that can be charged and discharged significantly more often than conventional rechargeable batteries because of the absence of particle fatigue that plagues materials such as graphite. Conventional lithium batteries can be typically charged about 750 times before they are no longer useful, whereas, in laboratory testing, the Altairnano NanoSafe battery cells have now achieved over 9,000 charge and discharge cycles at charge and discharge rates up to 40 times greater than are typical of common batteries, and they still retain up to 85% charge capacity.

As an example of the application significance of this feature if a conventional lithium battery is charged and discharged every day then it would typically last for about 2 years. Under the same scenario, an Altairnano battery would be projected to last 25 years. This durability is critical in a high value application like electric vehicles.

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.

NanoSafe™ is a trademark of Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced ceramic nanomaterials. With a skilled team of scientists in its 100,000 square foot facilities who, coupled in collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, have developed a unique portfolio of intellectual property and novel products. These researchers are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies.

Altairnano focuses on nanotechnology applications to enable new high-growth markets. In alternative energy Altairnano is pioneering new battery materials and systems. The company is applying nanotechnology to the development of drug candidates for humans and animals, coatings materials for implants, and materials for dental applications. Its high performance nanomaterials have applications in paints, coatings, and the treatment of water and air. The Altairnano Hydrochloride Pigment process, the first new patented pigment process in 50 years, is an environmentally friendly method for manufacturing white pigment used in paints, paper and plastic. For additional information visit 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 and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risk that NanoSafe batteries will perform differently in extended road tests or in actual usage than in laboratory tests and possibly exhibit cycle lives that differ from those suggested by laboratory testing, that markets for potential products using NanoSafe batteries, many or which are small or non-existent, will not expand or come into existence as expected; that even if a significant market exists or evolves, that competing products will capture a dominant market position; and that even if NanoSafe batteries capture significant market position, production and overheard costs may exceed associated revenue. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-Q, 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.

For Additional Information:

Media Relations: Fleishman-Hillard Terry Banks Senior Vice President 202.828.9710 Email Contact

Company Information: Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. Roy Graham SVP Commercial Development 775.858.3706 Email Contact

Institutional Investors: Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. C. Robert Pedraza VP Strategy & Business Development 775.858.3702 Email Contact

Individual Investors: McCloud Communications, LLC Marty Tullio Managing Member 949.553.9748 Email Contact

SOURCE:  Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.

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