December 13 , 2004
QuantumSphere Revolutionizes $10B Platinum Catalyst Market
Nanotechnology Now, Dec. 13, 2004
QuantumSphere, Inc., today announced it has filed three extremely broad patent applications for nanonickel to support the company’s existing technology framework that will enable QuantumSphere to manufacture commercial quantities of nanonickel (n-Ni). QuantumSphere produces the highest quality and quantity of nanonickel in the world. Nanonickel has the potential to replace platinum as the main catalytic material in a variety of hydrogen fuel cells. A shift from platinum to QSI-nanoTM nickel would result in a reduction in the cost of fuel cell catalysts by up to 75%, based on current prices. The news follows QuantumSphere’s announcement earlier in the year that it completed the buildout of a large-scale reactor for the production of nanonickel (n-Ni) that will be used to produce a renewable source of power to supply the world’s energy needs.
Companies and governments collectively waste billions of dollars a year as a byproduct of their over-reliance on using platinum as a catalyst. As a result, the annual $10 billion platinum group metal catalyst market will inevitably be impacted by the fact that our nanonickel can be used to achieve better results, for many of the same applications that people use today, at a 75% cost reduction, said Kevin Maloney, CEO, QuantumSphere, Inc. We welcome corporations and governments to see first-hand how QuantumSphere has accomplished a monumental milestone in the history of the global energy catalyst markets, as QuantumSphere is the only company that can provide: consistent, narrow particle size distribution; low level of agglomeration and impurities; custom-tailored oxide shell thickness; and the highest purity nanonickel on the market, Maloney added.
Nanonickel can be used in the electrolytic membranes of various types of fuel cells, said Dr. Douglas Carpenter, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Research and Development, QuantumSphere, Inc. The dramatic cost reduction results from the fact that nanonickel will replace platinum as the main catalytic material in the membrane, as nanonickel is 75% cheaper than platinum. Nanonickel manufactured into the fuel cell membranes is far more efficient and robust than pressed carbon in current membranes, which will lead to a longer service life for the fuel cells, Dr. Carpenter added.
Some of the markets QuantumSphere will enter include: power for automobiles; remote, portable, and distributed power generation; residential, industrial and commercial power systems; heavy equipment; consumer electronics; and other government and military applications.
About QuantumSphere, Inc.
QuantumSphere manufactures leading metallic nanopowders for breakthrough propellants, munitions and other energetic applications in the aerospace, defense, energy 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 manufactures the highest quality of metallic nanopowder in the industry without compromising its commitment to the environment. No other company offers these performance advantages, as QuantumSphere has a 2-year lead ahead of its competitors. The company will leverage its leading market position in nanoaluminum (n-Al) to introduce nanonickel (n-Ni) applications for fuel cells, and other applications including additives for plastics and electromagnetic frequency shielding applications.
