ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES TITANIA NANO-MATERIAL COATINGS DEMONSTRATE SUPERIOR STRENGTH

RENO, NV. – March, 18, 2005 – Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTI) announced today that two papers have recently been published that illustrate the improved durability of Altair’s titanium dioxide nanoparticles, when used as coatings on titanium metal or other high performance metal alloys.

In testing conducted by Dr. R.S. Lima and Dr. B.R. Marple at the National Research Council of Canada, it was demonstrated that Altair’s nano-structured particles deliver superior strength and durability, compared to traditional materials, when used as a coating on surfaces. Altair nanosized titanium dioxide materials act as crack arresters, enhancing toughness which is a critical factor in coatings applied to materials used in harsh environments. Coating strength increased significantly as the porosity of the Altair material was 2.5 times less than that of conventionally applied traditional materials. Lima and Marple also demonstrated that the coatings can be applied with a lower cost process, high velocity oxy-fuel, versus the traditional method of air plasma spray, which may provide a significant cost improvement for these tough, high strength coatings.

For the last two years, F.W. Gartner based in Houston, Texas has been using Altair’s Titanium Dioxide nanomaterial to coat industrial titanium ball valves which are used in applications in the chemical, mining and petroleum industries. Said Jimmy Walker, COO at F.W. Gartner, "We are delighted with the results we have been achieving with the Altair materials and the development of proprietary coating processes (U.S. utility patent no.6835449). Our customers are using a coating with twenty five times the dry sand abrasion resistance and three times the erosion resistance of conventional coatings."

Other applications for these nanomaterial-based coatings are targeted, which include coatings for rotor blades in gas turbine engines and aircraft jet engines. These high performance coatings are envisioned to reduce maintenance costs due to their increased strength, and resistance to abrasion and wear.

"Altair is pleased with the results of Drs. Lima and Marple’s research, which show improved durability of our Titania nano-materials" commented Altair Nanotechnologies CEO Dr. Alan J. Gotcher. "Our Titania nanotechnology has moved into the product development stage and we are seeing encouraging progress and product performance with our market partners."

Copies of the two research papers are available from the publisher at www.sciencedirect.com and are entitled "From APS to HVOF spraying of conventional and nanostructured titania feedstock powders: a study on the enhancement of the mechanical properties" and "Enhanced ductility in thermally sprayed titania coating synthesized using a nanostructured feedstock".


ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altair Nanotechnologies, through product innovation, is a leading supplier of advanced ceramic nanomaterial technology worldwide. Altair Nanotechnologies has assembled a unique team of material scientists who, coupled with collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, has pioneered an impressive array of intellectual property and product achievements.

Altair Nanotechnologies has developed robust proprietary technology platforms for manufacturing a variety of crystalline and non-crystalline nanomaterials of unique structure, performance, quality and cost. The company has a scalable manufacturing capability to meet emerging nanomaterials demands, with capacity today to produce hundreds of tons of nanomaterials.

The company is organized into two divisions: Life Sciences and Performance Materials. The Life Sciences Division is pursuing market applications in pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, dental materials, cosmetics and other medical markets. The Performance Materials Division is pursuing market applications in Advanced Materials for paints and coatings; titanium metal manufacturing, catalysts and water treatment; and alternative energy. For additional information on Altair and its nano-materials, visit www.altairnano.com

AltairnanoTM, Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.®, Altair NanomaterialsTM, TiNano®, RenaZorbTM, NanoCheckTM, TiNano SpheresTM and the Hydrochloride Pigment ProcessTM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.


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 Altair expenses will rise during the following quarters as a result of unexpected cash or non-cash expenses; Altair’s numerous development stage products will not be developed to the point of commercialization or that, even if commercialized, no market will exist for such products or Altair will fail to effectively market to customers in a market: the risks that Altair will be unable to enter into license agreements regarding its pigment process (AHPP), RenaZorb, its TiNano Sphere or other developing products, that even if Altair enters into such license agreements, short term revenues from such agreements will not be sufficient to fund Altair’s operations in the long run, and that animal testing or future testing of RenaZorb or other products of the company will not be successful and that development will need to be terminated. In general, Altair is, and expects to be in the immediate future, dependent upon funds generated from sales of securities, grants, testing agreements, and licensing agreements to fund its testing, development and ongoing operations. 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.

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