Mar 7 2005
Altair Nanotechnologies has announced the company was awarded a new European patent entitled "Method for Producing Catalyst Structures" by the European Patent Office. The new patent describes the process for making microporous structures that can be used as a catalyst supports, or as electrode materials, in connection with titanium metal production and other processes.
"This patent strengthens our intellectual property position, further differentiates Altair within the rapidly growing nanotechnology market and illustrates our commitment to bring nanotechnology out of the laboratory and into commercialization," said Dr. Alan J. Gotcher, Chief Executive Officer of Altair Nanotechnologies. "The technology described in this patent is being applied in a development program, using titanium dioxide electrodes manufactured by Altair, to produce titanium metal by a more cost-effective process. This program is being conducted in conjunction with our partner, Titanium Metals Corporation, under a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract."
The DARPA contract was awarded to advance the Fray-Farthing-Chen (FFC) Cambridge Titanium Process technology for the electrochemical production of titanium metal. The FFC process promises to significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing titanium metal and to dramatically expand titanium use in a wider range of applications that include lightweight armored military vehicles, the manufacture of automotive and aerospace parts and components for power generation, oil and gas drilling, and lightweight and durable consumer goods.
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