SMP Fuel Cell Electrocatalyst Combinatorial Development Tool Complete & Operational

Superior MicroPowders, LLC (SMP) announced today that it has completed the design, fabrication and testing of its combinatorial synthesis tool for the development fuel cell electrocatalysts.

March 12, 2003 - Albuquerque, NM - Superior MicroPowders, LLC (SMP) announced today that it has completed the design, fabrication and testing of its combinatorial synthesis tool for the development fuel cell electrocatalysts.

Superior MicroPowders, an advanced materials developer and manufacturer of DynalystTM fuel cell electrocatalysts, has implemented a combinatorial capability for the development of new electrocatalysts through its $5.12M DOE contract. SMP is the prime contractor on this program entitled Development of High-Performance, Low-Pt Cathodes Containing New Catalysts and Layer Structure" with subcontractors including DuPont, CFD Research Corporation and leading fuel cell stack manufacturers.

With its combinatorial development tool now operational, SMP is uniquely positioned to rapidly develop new electrocatalyst materials by systematically varying particle composition and microstructure, both inherently critical in fuel cell performance. This tool is built upon SMPs commercially scaled spray-based processing technology removing the scale-up issues normally associated with newly discovered electrocatalyst compositions or microstructures via competitive combinatorial approaches.

Dr. Paolina Atanassova, SMPs Energy Materials R&D Manager comments, The completion of this combinatorial tool is a major milestone achievement reached under SMPs DOE program. This is a significant step forward towards becoming optimally equipped to meet the aggressive cost/performance targets set forth by DOE."

Dr. James Caruso, SMPs Sales and Marketing Manager adds, Fuel cell electrocatalyst materials will be an area of sustained and aggressive developmental focus for years to come due to the performance and cost impact of these precious metal containing materials on the overall fuel cell system. Our new combinatorial development capability will significantly enhance SMPs competitive advantage in this field by allowing us to rapidly optimize key material parameters for a variety of fuel cell applications. This combinatorial development capability is a key time to market enabler" for SMP and its applicability is not limited to fuel cell materials only. This versatile tool also offers SMP the opportunity to systematically discover and develop a wide range of material systems for non-fuel cell markets such as electronics and displays."

Superior MicroPowders DynalystTM electrocatalyst materials are engineered for use in PEM, direct methanol, alkaline, phosphoric acid and metal-air fuel cell systems. They offer excellent performance, superior handling and are likely to offer significant compositional and cost of manufacture advantages vs. traditionally manufactured materials. In addition to SMPs experience in fuel cell stack materials, the company has a developing complimentary expertise in the production of advanced fuel processing materials and MEA design and fabrication technology.

About Superior MicroPowders
Superior MicroPowders, LLC (SMP), established in 1997 and located in Albuquerque, NM, is an advanced materials developer and manufacturer servicing the following high growth markets:

• Fuel Cells
- Electrocatalysts
- Fuel Processing Materials
- Electrodes and MEAs
• Electronics
- Advanced Electronic Powders
- Ultra-low Temperature, Digitally Deposited Electronic Materials for Polymer Electronics
• Displays & Lighting
- Advanced Luminescent Materials

Contact(s):
Dr. James Caruso (caruso@smp1.com)
Manager, Sales & Marketing
Superior MicroPowders, LLC
Phone: (505) 342-1492, Fax: (505) 342-2168, www.smp1.com