Altair Nanotechnologies

About

Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., founded in 1973 and based in Reno, Nevada, has pioneered the development and commercialization of nano lithium titanate (nano-LTO) battery technology for fast-charging energy storage applications. With over $200 million in funding and 50-100 employees, Altair has focused on addressing critical limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries through nanotechnology-enabled electrode materials. The company's proprietary nano-LTO material serves as a battery anode replacement for traditional graphite, offering transformative performance advantages including ultra-fast charging capabilities, exceptional cycle life exceeding 15,000 charge-discharge cycles, superior safety characteristics, and excellent low-temperature performance. Unlike graphite anodes that can form dendrites leading to safety hazards, nano-LTO's crystalline structure accommodates lithium ions without significant volume expansion, virtually eliminating the risk of thermal runaway. This safety advantage makes Altair's technology particularly valuable for applications requiring high reliability including grid energy storage, electric buses, and military systems. The company's ALTI-ESS (Energy Storage System) products target utility-scale and commercial energy storage markets, providing frequency regulation, peak shaving, and renewable energy integration capabilities. Altair's nanomaterials are synthesized using proprietary processes that control particle size and morphology at the nanoscale, maximizing electrochemical performance. The nano-structured titanate provides high surface area for rapid lithium-ion intercalation while maintaining structural stability across thousands of cycles. Throughout its history, Altair has partnered with major automotive and energy companies to deploy its technology in real-world applications including electric bus fleets that benefit from fast charging during route layovers. The company has also supplied battery systems for grid stabilization projects where the ability to absorb and release energy rapidly is crucial for grid reliability. While nano-LTO batteries have lower energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion cells, their superior power density, safety, and longevity create compelling value propositions for specific applications. Altair's work demonstrates how nanomaterial engineering can fundamentally alter battery performance characteristics, enabling applications that conventional battery chemistries cannot adequately address. As energy storage becomes increasingly critical for electric transportation and renewable energy integration, Altair's nano-LTO technology represents an important specialized solution within the diverse battery technology landscape.