November 8, 2007 — QuantumSphere, Inc., manufacturer of nano metals and alloys for applications in renewable energy, portable power, defense, electronics and other markets, has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,282,167 for its QSI-Nano Gas Phase Condensation (GPC) process, a manufacturing method for the production of advanced nanomaterials.
QuantumSphere’s “Method and Apparatus for Forming Nanoparticles,” or QSI-Nano GPC process, allows for volume production of highly active catalyst materials that improve electrode performance in batteries, fuel cells, and on-board production of hydrogen through electrolysis for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company says that its “automated, scalable, and environmentally safe manufacturing process is the first in the industry at making ultrapure, highly uniform and narrow size distribution particles without the use or production of hazardous chemicals or gasses.”
According to Kevin Maloney, President, CEO and co-founder of QuantumSphere, “In our experience, other methods for making nanomaterials to such exacting measurements proved too costly, too labor intensive, too inconsistent or unsafe” He explains that, “The key to our company’s patented process is the ability to make commercial volumes of nano metals and alloys in a fully automated and scalable manner while maintaining size and purity. This manufacturing process has been perfected over five years to the point where it now yields several kilograms of materials per reactor, per day, in a manner that is safe to employees and the environment. This ability enables us to supply multiple mainstream industries with nano metals and alloys at low cost. The QSI-Nano GPC process will be instrumental in fulfilling our company’s vision of enabling cleaner renewable energy sources for our future.”
The QSI-Nano GPC process is computer controlled and fully automated. This, the company says, allows continuous production of high quality materials and enables a significant reduction in costs for the production of QSI-Nano Iron, Silver, Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, and other nano metals and alloys.
QuantumSphere will bring three additional reactors online in January 2008, to provide a total production capacity of more than 500 kilograms per month. QuantumSphere’s nanomaterials serve in catalytic, conductive, magnetic, and antimicrobial processes for a wide range of applications.