The successful completion of an aging test marks a significant step forward
for the new catalytic converter technology from Namos GmbH, a Dresden-based
company partly owned by Nanostart
AG. This new process is anticipated to reduce the consumption of precious
metals such as platinum in the production of automotive catalytic converters
by up to one half.
Of all the testing procedures which must be fulfilled before full market introduction,
the aging test is particularly important. This purpose of this test is to prove
that the catalytic converter remains functional when it is subjected to temperatures
of more than 600 C for an extended period of time. In many cases, these conditions
can lead to a coarsening of the precious metal particles, resulting in a rapid
impairment of function.
Under the simulated aging conditions, Namos was able to successfully prove
that automotive catalytic converters produced using its proprietary bionanotechnology-based
process continue to function flawlessly even at the high temperatures experienced
in actual automotive use.
Dr. Jürgen Hofinger, Managing Director of Namos GmbH, commented on the
completion of this milestone: 'The successful completion of the aging tests
are both a source of satisfaction for us and an incentive to push forward. The
next step will be to simulate the relevant application parameters in model catalytic
converters. Following that, prototypes will be produced and tested in both automotive
testing facilities and in actual vehicles.'
News of the successful completion of the aging tests has met with enthusiasm
in the automotive industry. According to industry experts, confirmation of these
results in actual catalytic converters will be convincing proof of the technical
superiority of the new process from Namos.
Some 230 metric tons of new, non-recycled precious metals are currently consumed
annually for the coating of automotive catalytic converters, corresponding to
a value of USD 8.3 billion dollars. The new technology from Namos could save
one half of this amount, or more than USD 4 billion dollars annually.