Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Altairnano) (NASDAQ: ALTI), announced it had been granted a U.S. patent for the "Method of Producing Mixed Metal Oxides and Metal Oxide Compounds." This patent protects the unique nanotechnology manufacturing process for battery anodes and cathodes in lithium-ion batteries utilizing a wider range of metal oxides.
"This patent enhances our intellectual property portfolio and further establishes an important competitive advantage for Altairnano," said Terry M. Copeland, Altairnano's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The patent creates an important barrier to entry as we focus on the development of cathode materials to enhance battery performance at lower costs. Competitors will be unable to utilize the proprietary manufacturing process covered under the patent to achieve the unique performance characteristics of rapid charging and discharging over the wide operating temperature range of our battery materials."
Source: http://www.altairnano.com/