COSTA
MESA, CA, U.S.A. - August 29, 2005 - QuantumSphere,
Inc., the leading manufacturer of metallic nanopowders
for applications in aerospace, defense, energy and
other markets demanding advanced material applications,
announced (“QSI- nano™ Ni/Co alloy”)
as a clear replacement solution for the platinum
electrode market. QuantumSphere is the only supplier
of the world’s
highest quality metallic nanomaterials including QSI-
nano™ Ni/Co and other proprietary alloys. Independent
validation, provided by DoppStein Enterprises, Inc.
(DSE) regarding this development, poses a serious issue
for platinum suppliers in the platinum group metal
catalyst market, as QSI- nano™ Ni/Co alloy will
alleviate dependency on platinum as the main catalytic
material in a variety of battery and fuel cell applications--
while presenting tremendous business and cost savings
advantages for companies.
A
shift from finely divided platinum to QSI- nano™ Ni/Co
alloy results in a reduction in the cost of fuel
cell and battery catalysts by approximately 50%,
while achieving up to 90% of pure platinum performance,
based on current prices. Conversely, a 90% cost savings
will result in a remarkable 73% performance relative
to pure platinum. To view independent scientific
data from DSE that supports and validates QuantumSphere’s
achievement in the catalyst marketplace, visit <http://www.qsinano.com/products.html> and
click on “DSE nano-Nickel/Cobalt Validation
Data.”
“By
adopting our product, QuantumSphere enables companies
to provide new product offerings in the marketplace
and increase their revenue,” said
Kevin Maloney, CEO, QuantumSphere, Inc. “For
example, we have spoken with many firms that are
frustrated by the fact that products using small
fuel cells or batteries face a problem-- up to 40%
of the total product cost is derived from the expense
of the catalyst. By using our QSI- nano™ Ni/Co
alloy product, QuantumSphere can reduce the total
device cost significantly. This opens up an exciting
range of new business opportunities for companies
that want to offer new products to customers but
were previously hindered by the cost that platinum
imposed on the OEM and final product price. Additionally,
the method of making these materials is highly scalable
and fully automated. QSI- nano™ Ni/Co alloy
will liberate companies from their dependence on
platinum, lower the cost of production and increase
profit margins, enabling firms to offer new products
at a price point that will be accepted in the market,” Maloney
added.
DoppStein
Enterprises, Inc., conducted experiments and provided
independent scientific data to validate QuantumSphere’s achievement. “After months
of working to evaluate and validate QuantumSphere’s
product and manufacturing capabilities, I can finally
state with full confidence that oxygen reduction
catalysis on cathode electrodes using QuantumSphere’s
nano-sized nickel/cobalt alloy material has been
unambiguously demonstrated,” said Robert Dopp,
President, DSE. “This catalyst can be used
in a variety of practical batteries and fuel cells,
including Li-ion, Zn/air, PEMFC and DMFC. One fundamental
issue of fuel cells is the reliance on platinum as
catalyst. For a cost comparison, finely divided platinum
(currently $75.00/gram in bulk) costs approximately
5 times as much as QuantumSphere’s nano-Ni/Co
alloy catalyst (currently $15.00/gram). This translates
into a large reduction in total device cost. Implementation
of this new technology incorporating QSI-nano™ Ni/Co
alloy in the alternative energy sector has the potential
to dramatically accelerate commercialization of these
micro devices,” Dopp added.
Confirmation
of catalysis was accomplished through a series
of experiments where nanocatalysts were used alone
and in conjunction with varying amounts of platinum. “Not only are QuantumSphere’s
catalysts active alone, they also enhance the activity
of platinum when combined with various QSI-Nano™ materials.
Compared with a pure platinum catalyzed cathode,
QuantumSphere’s metallic nanoparticles show
up to 90% of the catalytic activity,” Dopp
commented. “The activity was demonstrated using
electrochemical techniques and impedance spectroscopy.
This was the first clear verification and will be
followed by a series of optimization experiments
that are targeted at meeting or exceeding the activity
of high surface area platinum catalyzed cathodes.
The impact of these findings is enormous, as it reveals
that nanocatalysts prepared by QuantumSphere’s
proprietary methods have the potential to partially
or fully replace platinum (a $10-$12 billion market,
annually), one of the most expensive and scarce electrode
components,” Dopp concluded. White papers will
be released in Q1, 2006.
About QuantumSphere, Inc.
QuantumSphere is the leading manufacturer of metallic
nanopowders for a broad range of applications in
industries such as aerospace, defense, energy,
biomedical, and other markets demanding advanced
material applications. QuantumSphere's exclusive
manufacturing process provides:
consistent, narrow particle size distribution; low
level of agglomeration and impurities; 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
(n-Ni), QSI-nano™ silver, QSI-nano™ copper,
QSI- nano™ Ni/Co and other proprietary alloys.
These materials will replace platinum as the main
catalyst in fuel cells and other electrode assemblies
and provide 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 product
for applications in fuel cells, magnetic medical
products, bio-sensors, filtration devices and other
applications including additives for plastics and
electromagnetic frequency shielding.
For more information, visit www.qsinano.com or contact
Joe Romano, Partner, HighGround, Inc. at 781-279-1320
x 208 or jromano@highgroundinc.com
About DSE
Robert Dopp is a consultant to the fuel cell, battery
and related industries. During his three decades
of battery R&D, resulting in 36 related patents
bearing his name, he has designed several production
air cathode machines, making the highest rate air
cathode in the world. He has helped to develop
a consumer battery with over four times the energy
density of Alkaline cylindrical cells, and many
tens of times higher energy than many rechargeable
batteries. For more information contact Joe Romano,
Partner, HighGround, Inc. at 781-279-1320 x 208
or jromano@highgroundinc.com
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