The world WILL soon experience a industrial paradigm change, a technological revolution, as we will imminently witness the emergence of large format lithium-ion batteries that exhibit the following important properties (among others):
- very fast recharge time (minutes)
- high power density
- extremely long cycle life (15,000 + cycles - you want that in years?)
- very low-temp operation
- safe from thermal runaway danger
Stationary applications will benefit, such as UPS and energy storage in off-peak generation times for peak time use (as well as back to the grid potential). Also great benefits to mobile equipment, lawn mowers, snow blowers, golf carts, fork lifts, robots, etc.
But most significant industrial shift will occur with electric vehicles (I believe EV’s are the way to go, but even HEV’s and PHEV’s will experience revolutionary advancement, but what’s the advantage of hybrids if you can recharge in 10 minutes for 130 miles, and can accelerate as fast - or faster - than ICE and maintain highway speeds? Hydrogen and fuel cells are full of problems fuel safety, storage, and distribution problems.
Problems solved (or abated) include:
- Global Warming
- Windfall Oil Revenues to Unsavory Nations
- High and Volatile Oil Prices
- Breathable Air Quality
- Noisy Engines (EV’s will make our streets silent)
Energy produced for the grid is getting cleaner (more efficient/cleaner coal burning, solar, hydro, wind and other renewable sources… even biofuel… and, yes, new nuclear energy production designs are safer and more efficient too…)
The Tesla Motors vehicles are pretty cool, but they do NOT have the fast charge and long cycle life I’m talking about. These "NanoSafe" batteries are made by a company called Altairnano and will first be available in fleet SUT (sport utility trucks) offered be a company called Phoenix Motorcars…. But watch out for this technology to spread quickly to other vendors (licensing… whatever).
Heads up, it’s going to change a lot… The energy savings are going to have a major impact on many aspects of our economy. Even real estate values along trafficked roads (clean quiet traffic). EV’s are coming back as soon as industry can tool up.
I'm sure that there are reputable companies (the forefront is most likely in Japan) working on battery technology but don't be fooled by ALTI. This is a scam of a company that used to be a mining organization that reinvented itself as a "nano" company six or seven years ago. They have almost no sales and second rate technologies and exist largely to extract money from the pockets of sharholders to the pockets of the executives.
I'm sure that there are reputable companies (the forefront is most likely in Japan) working on battery technology but don't be fooled by ALTI. This is a scam of a company that used to be a mining organization that reinvented itself as a "nano" company six or seven years ago. They have almost no sales and second rate technologies and exist largely to extract money from the pockets of sharholders to the pockets of the executives.
The company's past financial history is questionable, but it doesnt mean they dont have breakthrough technology in this battery. I dont think Boschart Engineering, and UQM, both reputable companies, would partner themselves if this is such a scam. Phoenix motorcars is a startup, so no one can say anything about them. However, they are the only auto manufacturer that has CARB (California AIr Resource Board) certification...I guess CA is part of the plot to extract money from sharholders pocket as well...or they are being duped too?
But it doesnt matter, as this year will tell when they deliver the production batteries in Phoenix's EVs, and you can be sure its performance will be scrutinized.
This isn't a stock forum so I'm not going to get into a lengthy discussion but in Q306 this company had a 4 million dollar loss on revenue of $750,000. There are restaurants that out gross this. The only way this company moves forward is if they print more stock certificates and sell them to suckers.
I have a Ph.D. in the industry and do materials research (not related to this technology) for a living. There's nothing new or revolutionary about what this company is doing. The substantive battery research in being undertaken by large multinational companies with real management teams and scientists not some re-invented company that is running what amounts to a Ponzi scheme.
Regardless of wether ALTI is a ponzi scheme re-invented company or not, their battery product, if proven, will leave "substantial research ...by multinational companies" lagging behind ponzi outfits. Like I said, time will tell, and in short order.
As far as battery technology goes, it doesnt matter who can, as long as someone can sooner than later, and the cheaper the better...that's still another hurdle they'll have to get to to be taken seriously as a company in this market.
The company's past financial history is questionable, but it doesnt mean they dont have breakthrough technology in this battery. I dont think Boschart Engineering, and UQM, both reputable companies,
RENO, NV – December 28, 2006 – Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI), announced today that it shipped ten rapid charge, high power NanoSafe™ battery packs to Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. on schedule. Phoenix Motorcars confirmed that the shipments of ten 35 KWh battery packs fulfilled and completed the $750,000 order placed by Phoenix in July 2006.
Hmmmm: $750,000 / 10 = $75,000!!! for each battery pack?
RENO, NV – December 28, 2006 – Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI), announced today that it shipped ten rapid charge, high power NanoSafe™ battery packs to Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. on schedule. Phoenix Motorcars confirmed that the shipments of ten 35 KWh battery packs fulfilled and completed the $750,000 order placed by Phoenix in July 2006.
Hmmmm: $750,000 / 10 = $75,000!!! for each battery pack?
Harry
The first few batch in any production is going to cost a lot...but usually they price it at what they they can project their sales is going to be and amortize all that upfront cost. However, in this case, EV market is...well...brand new and untried?
But, I also think there's a bit of creative finance there, so that Altair can take advantage of the CARB credit...since only auto manufacturer can do that. Altair and Phoenix has also entered in somekind of stock agreement giving Altair 16% of Phoenix.
At least they are not passing this cost to their customers (or potential customers). They are selling these trucks for on $45k, so if you get your hand on one of these...
ALTI’s Nano-Titanate Disruptive Battery Technology
Talking about battery, Look where research is going 
