Western Michigan University Teams With Altair Nanotechnologies to Develop "Nanosensors" for Detecting Chemical and Biological Weapons

Business Wire, Jan 15, 2003

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003

Collaboration Provides Smart Nanoparticles for National Defense

Applications and Nuclear Waste Remediation

Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTI) and Western Michigan University ("WMU") today announced that they have entered into a teaming agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, two research programs utilizing Altair's nanomaterial science and production capabilities and WMU's research have been defined in the areas of chemical and biological weapons detection and in nuclear waste remediation.

WMU is a national leader in nanobioenviromental chemistry research and the founding entity of the Nanotechnology Research and Computation Center located in Kalamazoo, Mich. WMU is pursuing federal funding for development of the projects.

Altair and WMU will jointly develop titanium dioxide nanoparticle sensors for the detection of chemical and biological weapons. These "nanosensors" could be dispersed in coatings for military vehicles or embedded within military and security uniforms allowing personnel to quickly sense and alert the presence of warfare agents.

"We believe this research has significant national defense application and will further the development of homeland security programs along with a multitude of sophisticated civilian applications," commented Altair Nanomaterials' President Kenneth E. Lyon.

Altair and WMU will also collaborate on the development of a nanoparticle-based product that scavenges radioactive nuclides from complex wastes. "As indicated in preliminary findings, Altair's titanium dioxide nanoparticles remained stable under harsh conditions including extreme temperatures, acidity, and alkalinity," said WMU Professor Subra Muralidharan.

"This structural constancy together with our capability to functionalize the titanium dioxide nanoparticles makes them highly suitable in the potential concentration of high level nuclear waste.

"We believe our collaboration with Altair and their ability to economically produce large quantities of high quality titanium dioxide nanoparticles could provide an effective solution to a problem that has thwarted the nation's nuclear chemistry applications and effective disposal efforts for its by-products."

Muralidharan went on to note that WMU's research pertaining to nuclear waste remediation involves the development of specific molecules under a current Department of Energy grant.

Western Michigan University

WMU is a Carnegie-designated Doctoral/Research-Extensive university and one of only 102 public research universities to be included in this top classification. WMU is a national leader in nanobioenviromental chemistry research and has established the Nanotechnology Research and Computation Center to further this research.

Altair Nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a unique industry sector. Altair Nanotechnologies is positioning itself through product innovation within this emerging industry to become a leading supplier of nanomaterial technology and nanomaterials worldwide. Altair owns a proprietary technology for making nanocrystalline materials of unique quality both economically and in large quantities.

The company is currently developing special nanomaterials with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, advanced energy storage devices, thermal spray coatings, catalysts, cosmetics, paints and environmental remediation. For additional information on Altair and its nanoparticle materials, 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, Altair and WMU's ability to receive DOE funding for the projects and the commercial success of these projects. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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.