SANTA
ANA, CA, U.S.A. - November 8, 2005 - QuantumSphere,
Inc., the leading manufacturer of metallic nanopowders
for applications in aerospace, defense, energy, electronics
and other markets demanding advanced material applications,
announced it filed two patents related to the fuel
cell and battery industry allowing for customization
of nanometallic-additives for increased power and
efficiency. The first patent supports the company’s
existing technology framework that will enable battery
and fuel cell manufacturers to address novel methods
to produce uniform air cathodes.
Unique, proprietary features in nanopowder handling
enables the production of air cathodes in small test
sample sizes up to continuous production capability
using the same apparatus, thereby enabling battery
manufacturer’s R&D facilities to accomplish
complex experimental designs related to gas electrode
development while enhancing scale-up capability of
resulting designs.
The second patent addresses gas diffusion electrodes
for the fuel cell and metal air battery industry
using nano-sized transition metal catalysts and alloys.
These nanometal-containing cathodes can be used in
conjunction with a variety of types of battery and
fuel cells, including Zn/air, Li/air, hydrogen and
direct methanol fuel cells. In addition, they are
flexible and may conform to a variety of surface
contours, allowing for more freedom in cell design
to power a wider variety of devices.
“This technology allows QuantumSphere to provide
customers the capability of developing and verifying
cathode designs specific for their applications.
For example, a methanol fuel cell and a zinc air
battery have very different power and voltage requirements,” Robert
Dopp, President, DoppStein Enterprises, Inc. “Ratios
of QuantumSphere-produced nanocatalysts can be optimized
using this technology. The resulting cathodes use
catalysts never tested before because the method
to make small cathode samples did not exist, but
also because, until recently, no one knew how to
make the metallic nanopowders uniformly and in quantities
large enough to test.
QuantumSphere and DoppStein Enterprises, Inc, working
in partnership, have resolved both of these issues.
These inventions will lead to more efficient and
more powerful fuel cells and metal air batteries
using QuantumSphere’s nanocatalyst and powder
handling process.
“This new cathode making process, coupled
with the addition of highly active catalyst is invaluable
for the production of high-power density fuel cells
and batteries which are streamlined and can be tailored
to a wide array of
devices-- thereby providing significant performance
advantages in the next generation cell phones, cameras,
and other portable electronics,” said Dr.
Kimberly McGrath, Director of Fuel Cell Research,
QuantumSphere, Inc.
“QuantumSphere will continue to work with world-class
partners, such as DoppStein Enterprises and others,
to research, develop, produce and ship alternative
catalyst products on a mass scale at a fraction of
the cost,”
Dr. McGrath added. As Director of Fuel Cell Research,
Dr. McGrath also tailors catalysts for various cell
types and operating temperature regimes, and designs
new fuel cell systems for small, portable applications
that will be efficient at room temperature with minimal
catalyst loading. For more information on QuantumSphere’s
products, visit http://www.qsinano.com/products.html.
Sales and technical services personnel can be reached
at 714-545-NANO (6266).
About QuantumSphere, Inc.
QuantumSphere is the leading manufacturer of metallic
nanopowders for aerospace, defense, energy, electronics,
and other markets demanding advanced material applications.
QuantumSphere’s exclusive manufacturing process
provides consistent and narrow particle size distribution,
low levels of agglomeration and impurities, a custom-tailored
oxide shell thickness, and the highest purity metallic
nanopowders on the market that are easier to transport
and handle. The company accomplishes this without
compromising its commitment to the environment
and the community. No other company offers these
performance advantages.
QuantumSphere is the only supplier of the world’s
highest quality magnetic, conductive and catalytic
metallic nanopowders, including QSI-nano™ nickel,
silver, copper, cobalt and other proprietary nanoscale
alloys. QSI-nano™ alloys will ultimately replace
platinum as the main catalyst in a variety of fuel
cells and battery electrodes, providing a renewable
source of power to supply the world’s energy
needs. The company is leveraging its leading market
position in metallic powders to manufacture and ship
materials and devices for applications in batteries,
fuel cells, conductive inks, magnetic coatings and
membrane filtration devices. For more information,
visit www.qsinano.com or contact Joe Romano, Partner,
HighGround, Inc. at 781-279-1320 x 208 or jromano@highgroundinc.com
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