Altair Nanotechnologies Appoints C.C. Chan, Ph.D. to Scientific Advisory Board; Noted Author and Electric Vehicle Authority Brings Focused Expertise to Scientific Advisory Board.

RENO, Nev. -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI) today announced that C.C. Chan, Ph.D., has joined the company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Chan, a noted author, professor and founder of the International Research Centre for Electric Vehicles at the University of Hong Kong, will lend his expertise to the ongoing development at Altairnano of nano-structured lithium ion batteries to address the power and energy requirements of the hybrid and electric vehicle market.

"This is an opportune and exciting time to be joining Altairnano's Scientific Advisory Board," commented Dr. Chan. "I have been immersed in the research and development of electric transportation and machinery for over forty years, and believe the catalyst for the sucessful commercialization of high-performance hybrid and electric transportation is a cost efficient method by which to power them."

Dr. Chan continued, "nanoscience has provided technology for the manufacture of new high power batteries that I believe will replace conventional batteries now used in the development of hybrid and electric vehicles. These batteries, manufactured using nanomaterials such as Altairnano's nano-structured lithium titanate spinel electrodes, have the potential to respond to the demand for affordable, powerful, fast recharge batteries with long cycle life and the ability to perform in extreme environments."

"We believe Dr. Chan's appointment to our Scientific Advisory board will greatly assist in the continued success of our battery initiatives," said Altair president and CEO, Alan J. Gotcher, Ph.D. "We anticipate that Dr. Chen, widely known in the international electric vehicle community, will provide a wealth of scientific and industry expertise that our management, research and product development teams can draw upon as we drive toward commercialization of our rechargeable lithium-ion nano battery."

About Mr. C.C. Chan, Ph.D.

Dr. Chan is an Honorary Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. His career spans 40 years with industrial and academic experience mainly in the research and development of electric machines and power systems.

He joined the University of Hong Kong in 1981 as Lecturer and then held the positions of Senior Lecturer, Reader, Honda Chair Professor of Engineering, and later became the Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, serving from 1994 to 2000. Dr. Chan has been a Visiting Professor for several prominent universities around the world including the University of California at Berkeley and MIT, a By-Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge University, and is the recipient of the IEE International Lecture Medal. Dr. Chan has delivered his lectures on electric vehicles worldwide.

Dr. Chan served as President of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Vice President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences, President and Co-founder of World Electric Vehicles Association, while presently he holds the office the President of the Asian Electric Vehicle Society, Director and Advisor of Electric Vehicles Association of Asia Pacific.

Dr. Chan has authored and coauthored eight books and holds eight patents. Born in Indonesia, he obtained his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1957, 1959 and 1982 from China University of Mining and Technology, Tsinghua University and the University of Hong Kong, respectively. He is a Fellow of the IEEE in the U.S. and the Royal Academy of Engineering in the U.K., and of the HKIE in Hong Kong.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced ceramic nanomaterials. With a skilled team of scientists in its 100,000 square foot facility who, coupled in collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, have developed a unique portfolio of intellectual property and novel products. These researchers are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies.

Altairnano focuses on nanotechnology applications to enable new potentially high-growth markets. In alternative energy, Altairnano is pioneering new battery materials and systems. The company is applying nanotechnology to the development of drug candidates for humans and companion animals, coatings materials for implants, and materials for dental applications. Its high performance nanomaterials have applications in paints, coatings, and the treatment of water and air. The Altairnano Hydrochloride Pigment process, the first new patented pigment process in 50 years, is an environmentally friendly method for manufacturing white pigment used in paints, paper and plastic. For additional information, visit http://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, that, in subsequent testing or commercial applications, the company's battery electrode materials and systems will not perform consistent with past test results; that demand for high-power rechargeable batteries for hybrid electrical vehicles, electrical vehicles or other applications will not expand as anticipated; that the company's battery electrode materials and systems will not have characteristics required or desired by producers of hybrid electric vehicles, electrical vehicles and other products potentially using high power rechargeable batteries, including characteristics such as high energy density; that competing battery electrode materials or systems developed, or being developed, by other entities will prove superior to materials or systems being developed by the company, or, for various reasons unrelated to performance, one or more competing technologies will retain or capture dominant market share. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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.