Altairnano Receives Small Business Innovation Research Grant

RENO, NV, Jul 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Altairnano) (NASDAQ: ALTI), a leading
provider of energy storage systems for clean, efficient power and energy
management, today announced the company has received a Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to support strategic initiatives for the
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). As a branch of the Department of
Defense, NAVSEA engineers, builds, and supports America's fleet of ships
and combat systems. The value of the contract is estimated at $100,000.

The SBIR grant will be used to further accelerate technological
progression of Altairnano's advanced energy storage systems and
batteries. The scope of the award supports development of new cell
chemistries that can perform under extremely hot conditions. Additional
SBIR grant awards will be pursued to accomplish key milestones associated
with the initiative.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Technology
administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This
competitive program ensures that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative
businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and
development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the SBIR
program, including the Navy.

Altairnano's current cell capabilities allow for energy storage and
battery systems to operate continuously in extreme temperature conditions
ranging from -40C to 55C (-40 degrees Fahrenheit to 131 degrees
Fahrenheit). Altairnano's work associated with the SBIR grant seeks to
extend continuous operation to 65C (149 degrees Fahrenheit) without
compromising existing performance attributes, including long cycle life
and high power ratings.

"Altairnano's energy storage and battery systems already perform at some
of the highest temperature ratings in the storage industry," said Terry
Copeland, president and CEO, Altairnano. "NAVSEA is helping Altairnano to
further develop our nano-structured lithium titanate chemistry and extend
our unique performance characteristics to attain continuous operation in
temperatures never before achieved with advanced energy storage and
battery systems."

Altairnano's SBIR grant is aligned with the Navy's goal of developing a
multipurpose energy storage module for a variety of potential
applications, including single generator operations and pulse power.

Altairnano designs, builds, and delivers advanced energy storage and
battery systems for power and energy applications within the utility
sector, including systems for managing grid stability and the
intermittence associated with renewable generation. The company's support
for military applications helps deliver commercial, utility-grade systems
that are safe, rugged, and reliable.

About Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.

Headquartered in Reno, Nevada with manufacturing in Anderson, Indiana,
Altairnano is a leading provider of energy storage systems for clean,
efficient power and energy management. Going beyond lithium ion,
Altairnano's Lithium-Titanate based battery systems are among the highest
performing and most scalable, with applications that include battery cells
for military artillery, battery packs for hybrid vehicles and energy
storage systems for large-scale stationary power services. For more
information please visit Altairnano at 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, the risks that development
of the advanced lithium ion-based batteries and related products described
herein will not be completed for technical, political, strategic or other
reasons; that any products developed will not perform as expected in
future testing or real-world applications; and that even if full
commercialization occurs, product sales may be limited and costs
associated with production may exceed revenues. In addition, other risks
are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
and Form 10-Q, 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.

For Additional Information:

Institutional Investors:
Brion D. Tanous
Principal
CleanTech IR, Inc.
310-541-6824
Email Contact

Individual Investors:
Marty Tullio
McCloud Communications, LLC
949.553.9748
Email Contact

Media Relations
Jeff Brunings
Director, Strategic Marketing
Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.
775.856.2500
Email Contact

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