altair_10q-033108.htm


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 

 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
   
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _________________ TO _________________
 
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Canada
 
1-12497
 
33-1084375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File No.)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
                                                           
 
204 Edison Way
Reno, Nevada 89502
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 

 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (775) 856-2500


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act): YES o NO x

As of May 5, 2008 the registrant had 84,512,576 Common Shares outstanding.
 




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)

 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 35,570,557     $ 50,146,117  
Accounts receivable, net
    1,068,906       1,221,543  
Accounts receivable from related party, net
    2,073       96,276  
Notes receivable from related party, current portion
    1,681,973       1,638,510  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    801,405       799,387  
Total current assets
    39,124,914       53,901,833  
                 
Investment in Available for Sale Securities
    3,731,719       4,564,814  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
    15,215,406       14,548,837  
                 
Patents, net
    699,229       720,433  
                 
Other Assets
    122,718       122,718  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 58,893,986     $ 73,858,635  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
Trade accounts payable
  $ 2,521,310     $ 7,814,037  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    1,635,501       2,239,110  
Accrued warranty
    2,915,990       2,915,990  
Accrued liabilities
    597,630       759,644  
Note payable, current portion
    600,000       600,000  
Total current liabilities
    8,270,431       14,328,781  
                 
Note Payable, Long-Term Portion
    600,000       1,200,000  
                 
Minority Interest in Subsidiary
    1,260,881       1,369,283  
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Common stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized;
               
84,502,576 and 84,068,377 shares issued and
               
outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    165,277,625       163,780,176  
Additional paid in capital
    4,908,294       5,489,604  
Accumulated deficit
    (120,112,245 )     (111,823,809 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,311,000 )     (485,400 )
                 
Total Stockholders' Equity
    48,762,674       56,960,571  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 58,893,986     $ 73,858,635  
                 
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
2

 
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues
           
Product sales
  $ 163,930     $ 177,390  
Commercial collaborations
    520,813       347,288  
Contracts and grants
    384,594       616,254  
Total revenues
    1,069,337       1,140,932  
Operating Expenses
               
Cost of sales - product
    58,209       210,262  
Research and development
    5,258,034       2,997,327  
Sales and marketing
    665,928       380,536  
General and administrative
    3,262,752       2,611,215  
Depreciation and amortization
    573,609       431,058  
Total operating expenses
    9,818,532       6,630,398  
Loss from Operations
    (8,749,195 )     (5,489,466 )
Other Income (Expense)
               
Interest expense
    (27,353 )     (35,000 )
Interest income
    382,337       343,368  
Loss on foreign exchange
    (2,627 )     (369 )
Total other income, net
    352,357       307,999  
                 
Loss from continuing operations before minority interests' share
    (8,396,838 )     (5,181,467 )
                 
Less: Minority interests' share
    108,402       -  
                 
Net Loss
  $ (8,288,436 )   $ (5,181,467 )
                 
Loss per common share - Basic and diluted
  $ (0.10 )   $ (0.07 )
                 
Weighted average shares - Basic and diluted
    84,219,978       69,264,018  
                 
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

3


ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)

                           
Accumulated
       
               
Additional
         
Other
       
   
Common Stock
   
Paid In
   
Accumulated
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Loss
   
Total
 
                                     
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2008
    84,068,377     $ 163,780,176     $ 5,489,604     $ (111,823,809 )   $ (485,400 )   $ 56,960,571  
                                                 
Comprehensive loss:
                                               
Net loss
    -       -       -       (8,288,436 )     -       (8,288,436 )
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes of $0
    -       -       -       -       (825,600 )     (825,600 )
Comprehensive loss
                                            (9,114,036 )
Share-based compensation
    193,713       1,073,936       (581,310 )     -       -       496,626  
Exercise of stock options
    214,211       397,238       -       -       -       397,238  
Exercise of warrants
    26,275       26,275       -       -       -       26,275  
                                                 
BALANCE,  MARCH 31, 2008
    84,502,576     $ 165,277,625     $ 4,908,294     $ (120,112,245 )   $ (1,311,000 )   $ 48,762,674  
                                                 
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
                                 

4


ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (8,288,436 )   $ (5,181,467 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
               
used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    573,609       431,058  
Minority interest in operations
    (108,402 )     -  
Securities received for exclusivity contract
    -       (106,518 )
Securities received in payment of license fees
    -       (8,148 )
Share-based compensation
    492,626       993,074  
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
    23,334          
Accrued interest on notes receivable
    (43,463 )     (8,654 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    152,637       598,780  
Accounts receivable from related party, net
    94,203       96,276  
Product inventories
    -       (834,647 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (2,018 )     120,672  
Trade accounts payable
    (5,630,971 )     (180,074 )
Accrued salaries and benefits
    (603,609 )     (92,731 )
Accrued liabilities
    (162,014 )     (64,890 )
                 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (13,502,504 )     (4,237,269 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Sale of available for sale securities
    -       2,325,000  
Purchase of available for sale securities
    7,495       (10,220,726 )
Purchase of property and equipment
    (904,064 )     (704,302 )
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (896,569 )     8,600,028  
                 
                 
           
(continued)
 
 
5


ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Issuance of common shares for cash
    -       3,000,000  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    397,238       80,391  
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
    26,275       -  
Payment of notes payable
    (600,000 )     (600,000 )
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (176,487 )     2,480,391  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (14,575,560 )     (10,356,906 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    50,146,117       12,679,254  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 35,570,557     $ 2,322,348  
                 
Supplemental disclosures:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 126,000     $ 168,000  
                 
Cash paid for income taxes
 
None
   
None
 
 
 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
For the three months ended March 31, 2008:
- We made property and equipment purchases of $338,244, which are included in trade accounts payable at March 31, 2008.
- We had an unrealized loss on available for sale securities of $825,600.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007:
- We made property and equipment purchases of $292,233, which are included in trade accounts payable at March 31, 2007.
- We had an unrealized gain on available for sale securities of $184,800.
 
 
(concluded)
 
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
6


ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 1.   Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Altair” “we” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).  Such rules and regulations allow the omission of certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, so long as the statements are not misleading.  In the opinion of Company management, these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the periods shown.  These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on March 14, 2008.
 
The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note 2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investment in Available for Sale Securities (short-term) - Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of bank deposits and institutional money market funds.  Short-term investments that are highly liquid have insignificant interest rate risk and maturities of 90 days or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents.  Investments that do not meet the definition of cash equivalents are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale.
 
Our cash balances are maintained in bank accounts that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to a maximum of $100,000.  At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had cash deposits of approximately $2.9 million and $8.7 million, respectively, in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
 
Investment in Available for Sale Securities (long-term) - Available for sale securities (long-term) includes publicly traded equity investments that are classified as available for sale and recorded at market using the specific identification method.  Unrealized gains and losses (except for other than temporary impairments) are recorded in other comprehensive loss, which is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  We evaluate our investments on a quarterly basis to determine if a potential other than temporary impairment exists.  Our evaluation considers the investees’ specific business conditions as well as general industry and market conditions.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists entirely of unrealized (gain)/loss on the investment in available for sale securities. The components of comprehensive loss for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net loss
  $ 8,288,436     $ 5,181,467  
Unrealized loss/(gain) on investment in available
               
for sale securities, net of taxes of $0
    825,600       (184,800 )
                 
Comprehensive loss
  $ 9,114,036     $ 4,996,667  

Long-Lived Assets - We evaluate the carrying value of long-term assets, including intangibles, when events or circumstance indicate the existence of a possible impairment, based on projected undiscounted cash flows, and recognize impairment when such cash flows will be less than the carrying values.  Measurement of the amounts of impairments, if any, is based upon the difference between carrying value and fair value.  Events or circumstances that could indicate the existence of a possible impairment include obsolescence of the technology, an absence of market demand for the product, and/or continuing technology rights protection.
 
7

 
Deferred Income Taxes - We use the asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes.  Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the bases of assets and liabilities as reported for financial statement purposes and income tax purposes. We have recorded a valuation allowance against all net deferred tax assets.  The valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to an amount that represents management’s best estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized.
 
Revenue Recognition - We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been performed, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is probable.  Our revenues were derived from product sales, commercial collaborations and contracts and grants. Revenue for product sales is recognized upon delivery of the product, unless specific contractual terms dictate otherwise.  Based on the specific terms and conditions of each contract/grant, revenues are recognized on a time and materials basis, a percentage of completion basis and/or a completed contract basis.  Revenue under contracts based on time and materials is recognized at contractually billable rates as labor hours and expenses are incurred.  Revenue under contracts based on a fixed fee arrangement is recognized based on various performance measures, such as stipulated milestones.  As these milestones are achieved, revenue is recognized.  From time to time, facts develop that may require us to revise our estimated total costs or revenues expected.  The cumulative effect of revised estimates is recorded in the period in which the facts requiring revisions become known.  The full amount of anticipated losses on any type of contract is recognized in the period in which it becomes known.  Payments received in advance relating to the future performance of services or deliveries of products are deferred until the performance of the service is complete or the product is shipped.  Upfront payments received in connection with certain rights granted in contractual arrangements are deferred and amortized over the related time period over which the benefits are received.  Based on specific customer bill and hold agreements, revenue is recognized when the inventory is shipped to a third party storage warehouse, the inventory is segregated and marked as sold, the customer takes the full rights of ownership and title to the inventory upon shipment to the warehouse per the bill and hold agreement.  When contract terms include multiple components that are considered separate units of accounting, the revenue is attributed to each component and revenue recognition may occur at different points in time for product shipment, installation, and service contracts based on substantial completion of the earnings process.
 
Accrued Warranty - We provide a limited warranty for battery packs and energy storage systems.  A liability is recorded for estimated warranty obligations at the date products are sold.  Since these are new products, the estimated cost of warranty coverage is based on cell and module life cycle testing and compared for reasonableness to warranty rates on competing battery products.  As sufficient actual historical data is collected on the new product, the estimated cost of warranty coverage will be adjusted accordingly.  The liability for estimated warranty obligations may also be adjusted based on specific warranty issues identified.
 
Overhead Allocation - Facilities overhead, which is comprised primarily of occupancy and related expenses, and fringe benefit expenses are initially recorded in general and administrative expenses and then allocated to research and development and product inventories based on relative labor costs.
 
Minority Interest – In April 2007, the Company and The Sherwin-Williams Company (“Sherwin”) entered into an agreement to form AlSher Titania LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AlSher”).  AlSher is a joint venture combining certain technologies of the Company and Sherwin in order to develop and produce titanium dioxide pigment for use in paint and coatings and nano titanium dioxide materials for use in a variety of applications, including those related to removing contaminants from air and water.  Pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated April 24, 2007 among Altairnano, Sherwin, and AlSher, Altairnano contributed to AlSher an exclusive license to use Altairnano’s technology (including its hydrochloride pigment process) for the production of titanium dioxide pigment and other titanium containing materials (other than battery or nanoelectrode materials) and certain pilot plant assets with a net book value of $3,110,000.  Altairnano received no consideration for the license granted to AlSher other than its ownership interest in AlSher.  Sherwin agreed to contribute to AlSher cash and a license agreement related to a technology for the manufacture of titanium dioxide using the digestion of ilmenite in hydrochloric acid.  As a condition to enter into the second phase of the joint venture, we agreed to complete the pigment pilot processing plant and related development activities by January 2008.  The 100 ton pigment pilot processing plant was commissioned in February 2008 and the costs associated with this effort were partially reimbursed by AlSher.  Altairnano contributes any work in process and fixed assets associated with completion of the pigment pilot processing plant to the AlSher joint venture.  For each reporting period, AlSher is consolidated with the Company’s subsidiaries because the Company has a controlling interest in AlSher and any inter-company transactions are eliminated (refer to Note 1 – Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements).  The minority shareholder’s interest in the net assets and net income or loss of AlSher are reported as minority interest in subsidiary on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and as minority interest share in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, respectively.
 
8

 
Net Loss Per Common Share - Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period.  Potentially dilutive shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants.  Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive.  We had a net loss for all periods presented herein; therefore, none of the stock options and warrants outstanding during each of the periods presented were included in the computation of diluted loss per share as they were anti-dilutive.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In April 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), which will become effective for the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.  Any unrealized gains and losses associated with the instruments or other balances for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  We did not elect to fair value any of our financial assets or liabilities.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements." SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was effective for our Company on January 1, 2008. However, in February 2008, the FASB released FASB Staff Position (FSP FAS 157-2 — Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157), which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for our financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for our non-financial assets and liabilities, effective January 1, 2009, will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements.
 
Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to classifications adopted in the current period.

Note 3.   Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, for all financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.  SFAS 157 establishes a new framework for measuring fair value and expands related disclosures.  Broadly, the SFAS 157 framework requires fair value to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  SFAS 157 establishes market or observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.
 
The valuation techniques required by SFAS 157 are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
 
 
Level 1  -
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
 
 
Level 2  -
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
 
 
Level 3  -
Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
 
9

 
We maintain policies and procedures to value instruments using the best and most relevant data available.
 
When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities, such as our investment in Spectrum stock as discussed below, and they are included in Level 1.  When quoted market prices are unavailable in the principal or most advantageous market, quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets are utilized in addition to model-derived valuations for investments, such as the auction rate notes discussed below, and they are included in Level 2.  We currently do not hold any investments that require Level 3 evaluations.

Investment in Available for Sale Securities

Investments in available for sale securities (long-term) includes auction rate corporate notes and investments in common stock as discussed below.
 
The auction rate corporate notes are long-term instruments with expiration dates through 2017.  Through the third quarter of 2007, the interest was settled and the rate reset every 7 to 28 days and historically these investments were classified as short-term investments.  However, in the fourth quarter of 2007 due to a change in the liquidity of the auction rate market, sell orders have exceeded bid orders in that market, and the interest relating to these investments was reset to a contractual rate of London Interbank Offering Rate plus 50 basis points, which is not a market rate.  The auction rate markets have not yet recovered and no active trading has occurred.  As such we evaluated these investments at March 31, 2008 to determine if they were impaired.  Our evaluation included consultation with our investment advisors, assessment of the strength of the financial institution paying the interest on these investments, ratings of the underlying collateral, prices of similar instruments, and current indicative bid prices.  Based on this analysis we estimate that at March 31, 2008 their fair value was approximately $3,120,000, representing a cumulative unrealized holding loss of approximately $780,000.  Based on our evaluation and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for an expected recovery of fair value, we do not consider this investment to be other than temporarily impaired at March 31, 2008.
 
Investment in available for sale securities (long-term) includes 240,000 shares of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Spectrum”) common stock.  Although the Spectrum shares are eligible for resale under Rule 144, the Company currently intends to hold them indefinitely.  The shares were received as partial payment of licensing fees when Spectrum entered into a license agreement for RenaZorb in January 2005 and in payment of the first milestone achieved in June 2006.  On receipt, the shares were recorded at their market value of $1,138,200 as measured by their closing price on the NASDAQ Capital Market.  At March 31, 2008, their fair value was approximately $607,200, representing a cumulative unrealized holding loss of approximately $531,000.  We evaluated this investment to determine if there is an other than temporary impairment at March 31, 2008.  Our evaluation took into consideration published investment analysis, status of drug candidates in development, analysts’ recommendations, insider trading activity, and other factors.  Based on our evaluation and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for an expected recovery of fair value, we do not consider this investment to be other than temporarily impaired at March 31, 2008.
 
The following table presents our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2008:

       
Total at
             
 
Description
   
3/31/2008
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
 
                       
 
Available-for-sale securities
    $ 3,731,719     $ 607,200     $ 3,124,519  
 
10

 
Note 4.   Patents

Our patents are associated with the nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology.  We are amortizing these assets over their useful lives.  The amortized patents’ balances as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were:

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
Patents and patent applications
  $ 1,517,736     $ 1,517,736  
Less accumulated amortization
    (818,507 )     (797,303 )
Total patents and patent applications
  $ 699,229     $ 720,433  

The weighted average amortization period for patents is approximately 16.5 years.  Amortization expense, which represents the amortization relating to the identified amortizable patents, was $21,204 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.  For each of the next five years, amortization expense relating to patents is expected to be approximately $85,000 per year.  Management believes the net carrying amount of patents will be recovered by future cash flows generated by commercialization of the titanium processing technology.

Note 5.   Accounts Receivable and Notes Receivable from Related Party

Related Party Accounts Receivable activity consists of the following:

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
Beginning Balance - January
  $ -     $ 495,000  
Additions
    2,073       1,851,894  
Less cash collected
    -       (2,346,894 )
Ending Balance
  $ 2,073     $ -  

Payment terms based on the January 2007 Purchase and Supply Agreement with Phoenix are as follows:  33% of the release order value is due upon placement of the order, 27% is due within 30 days of the receipt of the invoice by Phoenix, and 40% is due in the form of a note payable as described below.

Related Party Notes Receivable activity consists of the following:

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
Beginning Balance - January
  $ 1,638,510     $ 330,000  
Additions
    -       1,219,075  
Plus interest earned
    43,463       89,435  
Ending Balance
    1,681,973       1,638,510  

On December 31, 2006, we received a $330,000 unsecured note receivable from Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. in connection with the sale of battery packs, which bears interest at 10.5%.  The principal and interest are due by December 30, 2008 with no pre-payment penalty.  Notes receivable issued in 2007 carry interest at prime plus 1% as set forth in the Wall Street Journal and are due within 360 days of the delivery date based on the terms of the January 2007 Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. supply agreement.

Note 6.   Accrued Warranty

Accrued warranty consisted of the following:

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
             
Beginning Balance – January
  $ 2,915,990     $ -  
Additions
    -       2,915,990  
Ending Balance
  $ 2,915,990     $ 2,915,990  
 
11

 
We provided a limited warranty for battery products sold under the January 2007 purchase and supply agreement with Phoenix and the July 2007 AES development agreement.  Of this balance, $2,856,902 reflects a one-time adjustment to record the provision for warranty claims resulting from our decision to replace 47 of the Phoenix battery packs manufactured in 2007 due to a potential module configuration problem that could result in overheating and $59,088 reflects the warranty recorded in connection with the AES prototype battery pack purchase in 2007.

Note 7.   Note Payable

The current and long term amount of the note payable are as follows:

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
Note payable to BHP Minerals
           
International, Inc.
  $ 1,200,000     $ 1,800,000  
Less current portion
    (600,000 )     (600,000 )
Long-term portion of notes payable
  $ 600,000     $ 1,200,000  

The note payable to BHP Minerals International, Inc., in the face amount of $3,000,000, was entered into on August 8, 2002 and is secured by the property we acquired. Interest on the note payable of 7% is due and payable on an annual basis with each principal installment.  The first three payments of $600,000 of principal plus accrued interest were due and paid on February 8, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The final two payments of $600,000 plus accrued interest are due annually on February 8, 2009 and 2010.

Note 8.   Stock-Based Compensation

We have a stock incentive plan, administered by the Board of Directors, which provides for the granting of options and restricted shares to employees, officers, directors and other service providers of the Company.
 
The total compensation cost charged in connection with these plans was $487,422 and $993,075 for the three-months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. During the three-months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, 518,973 options vested at a weighted average price of $2.92 and 716,494 options vested at a weighted average price of $2.83, respectively.

Stock Options

The total number of shares authorized to be granted under the 2005 stock plan was increased from 3,000,000 to an aggregate of 9,000,000 based on the proposal approved at the annual and special meeting of shareholders on May 30, 2007.  Prior stock option plans, which are now terminated, authorized a total of 6,600,000 shares, of which options for 5,745,500 were granted and options for 1,138,300 are outstanding and unexercised at March 31, 2008. The total number of options relating to the 2005 plan that are outstanding and unexercised at March 31, 2008 is 4,147,154.
 
Total options granted for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 were 1,420,000 and 1,302,882, respectively.  The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $2.92 and $1.86, respectively. 
 
As of March 31, 2008, there was $2,873,891 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options granted under the plans.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1 year as of March 31, 2008.  Cash received from stock option and warrant exercises was $423,513 and $80,391 during the three-months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively.

Restricted Stock

During the three-months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, the Board of Directors did not grant any shares of restricted stock under the plan.
 
12

 
As of March 31, 2008 we had $269,559 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock which will be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.8 years.

Note 9.   Related Party Transactions

In January 2007, we entered into a multi-year purchase and supply agreement with Phoenix Mortorcars, Inc., succeeded by Phoenix MC, Inc. (“Phoenix”) for lithium Titanate battery pack systems.  Total accounts receivable and notes receivable including accrued interest (see Note 5) due from Phoenix at March 31, 2008 relating to the 2007 purchase and supply agreement totaled $2,073 and $1,681,973, respectively.  Total deferred revenue of $128,901 at March 31, 2008, reflects pre-payment for battery purchase orders and the unamortized balance of the investment described below.
 
Additionally in January 2007, Phoenix issued 1,000,000 shares of its common stock in consideration for the three-year exclusivity agreement within the United States of America included in the contract.  Phoenix did not make the minimum battery pack purchases required to retain their exclusivity in 2007.  The common stock shares received represented a 16.6% ownership interest in Phoenix.  The investment was recorded at $106,518 with the offset to deferred revenue, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the three year term of the exclusivity period.  In March 2008, Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. completed a merger, wherein the surviving corporation, Phoenix MC, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of All Electric, LLC (“AELLC”).  On March 19, 2008, Phoenix MC, Inc. announced receipt of their next round of funding provided by Al Yousuf, LLC and the AES Corporation.  These changes resulted in conversion of our 1,000,000 common share investment in Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. to ownership of 2000 units in AELLC and diluted our ownership percentage in Phoenix to 2.1%.  Based on managements review of the estimated valuation of Phoenix presented in the February 21, 2008 Merger Agreement and consideration of their subsequent round of funding, management believes that the investment is not impaired at March 31, 2008.
 
On July 20, 2007, we entered into a multi-year Joint Development and Equipment Purchase Agreement with AES Energy Storage, LLC (“AES”), a subsidiary of global power leader The AES Corporation.  A member of the executive management team of AES also serves on our board of directors.  Under the terms of the agreement we will work jointly with AES to develop a suite of energy storage solutions for purchase by AES and potentially third parties.  On August 3, 2007, we received an initial $1,000,000 order, of which $500,000 was prepaid, in connection with the AES Joint Development and Equipment Purchase Agreement for a 500 kilowatt-hour energy storage product.  This product was designed and manufactured at our Indiana facilities, and was completed in December 2007.  The final installment will be due and billable upon completion of the testing of the prototype packs.  As of March 31, 2008, $500,000 of costs associated with this project have been deferred and recorded on the balance sheet.

Note 10. Business Segment Information

Management views the Company as operating in three business segments:  Power and Energy Group, Performance Materials and Life Sciences.
 
The Power and Energy Group develops, produces, and sells nano-structured LTO, nano lithium Titanate, battery cells, battery packs, and provides related design and test services.  The Performance Materials segment produces advanced materials for coatings, sensors, alternative energy devices and markets and licenses our titanium dioxide pigment production technology.  The Life Sciences segment produces pharmaceutical products, drug delivery products and dental materials.
 
13

 
The accounting policies of these business segments are the same as described in Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  Reportable segment data reconciled to the consolidated financial statements as of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was as follows:

         
Loss/(Income)
From
   
Depreciation
and
       
Three Months Ended
 
Net Sales
   
Operations
   
Amortization
   
Assets
 
March 31, 2008:
                       
Power and Energy Group
  $ 329,847     $ 3,920,758     $ 265,045     $ 9,035,614  
Performance Materials
    427,495       678,694       263,348       5,666,516  
Life Sciences
    311,995       126,262       8,448       2,037,731  
Corporate
    -       4,023,481       36,768       42,154,125  
                                 
Consolidated Total
  $ 1,069,337     $ 8,749,195     $ 573,609     $ 58,893,986  
                                 
                                 
March 31, 2007:
                               
Power and Energy Group
  $ 339,329     $ 1,833,096     $ 189,602     $ 10,756,508  
Performance Materials
    790,280       215,358       202,461       1,597,741  
Life Sciences
    11,323       123,875       6,520       1,693,734  
Corporate
    -       3,317,137       32,475       27,503,926  
                                 
Consolidated Total
  $ 1,140,932     $ 5,489,466     $ 431,058     $ 41,551,909  

In the table above, corporate expense in the Loss From Operations column includes such expenses as investor relations, business consulting, general legal expense, accounting and audit, general insurance expense, shareholder information expense and general office expense.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008, we had sales to five major customers, each of which accounted for 10% or more of revenues. Total sales to these customers for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and the balance of their accounts receivable at March 31, 2008 were as follows:

       
Accounts Receivable and
 
   
Sales - 3 Months Ended
 
Notes Receivable at
 
Customer
 
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2008
 
Power and Energy Group:
         
Office of Naval Research
  $ 113,235   $ 74,682  
Department of Energy
    45,286     9,927  
               
Performance Materials Division:
             
Boeing
  $ 147,663   $ 117,158  
Western Oil Sands
    145,936     91,249  
Department of Energy
    47,635     14,963  
               
Life Sciences Division:
             
Elanco Animal Health/Eli Lilly
  $ 246,210   $ 175,140  
Department of Energy
    65,785     26,342  
 
14

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007, we had sales to three major customers, each of which accounted for 10% or more of revenues. Total sales to these customers for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the balance of their accounts receivable at March 31, 2007 were as follows:
 
           
Accounts Receivable and
 
     
Sales - 3 Months Ended
   
Notes Receivable at
 
Customer
   
March 31, 2007
   
March 31, 2007
 
Power and Energy Group:
             
Department of Energy
    $ 178,415     $ 25,201  
                   
Performance Materials Division:
                 
Western Oil Sands
    $ 319,872     $ 200,430  
UNLV Research Foundation
      216,537       211,237  
Department of Energy
      188,953       76,451  

Sales for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 by geographic area were as follows:

     
Sales -
   
Sales -
 
     
3 Months Ended
   
3 Months Ended
 
Geographic information (a):
   
March 31, 2008
   
March 31, 2007
 
               
United States
    $ 874,054     $ 742,237  
Canada
      145,936       321,872  
Other foreign countries
      49,347       76,823  
Total
    $ 1,069,337     $ 1,140,932  
                   
(a) Revenues are attributed to countries based on location of customer.
 

Note 11. Subsequent Events

On April 18, 2008 we entered into a Separation Agreement and Release of All Claims (the “Agreement”) with Alan Gotcher, our former Chief Executive Officer and a director.  Consistent with the separation provisions of Dr Gotcher’s employment agreement, the Agreement includes a release of all claims against the Company by Dr. Gotcher and an affirmation of the noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure and related covenants in his employment agreement.  Dr. Gotcher also resigned as a member of our Board of Directors pursuant to the Agreement.  The Agreement includes a confirmation of Dr. Gotcher’s right under his employment agreement to receive severance that includes his termination-date base salary and medical benefits for one year.  The Agreement also provided for the substitution of a $240,000 cash payment for Dr. Gotcher’s right under his employment agreement to participate in our 2008 incentive plan.  Based on the terms of this agreement, $669,195 of severance was recorded as of March 31, 2008.
 
15

 
Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) contains various forward-looking statements. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "likely," "believe," "intend," "expect," or similar words.   These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections regarding future developments, operations, or financial conditions, or state other forward-looking information.  When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors noted in Part II – Other Information, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements throughout this Report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You should also keep in mind that all forward-looking statements are based on management’s existing beliefs about present and future events outside of management’s control and on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect.  If one or more risks identified in this Report or any other applicable filings materializes, or any other underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected, or intended.
 
Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “Altair,” “we,” “Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.,” or the “Company” in this Report refer to Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.   Altair currently has one wholly owned subsidiary, Altair US Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation.  Altair US Holdings, Inc. directly or indirectly wholly owns Altairnano, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Mineral Recovery Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Fine Gold Recovery Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation and a controlling interest in AlSher Titania LLC (“AlSher Titania”), a joint venture with The Sherwin-Williams Company (“Sherwin-Williams”).  We have registered or are in the process of registering the following trademarks: Altair Nanotechnologies®, Altair Nanomaterials®, Altairnano™, TiNano®, Nanocheck© and RenaZorb®.  Any other trademarks and service marks used in this Report are the property of their respective holders.
 
Overview

The following discussion summarizes the material changes in our financial condition between December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008 and the material changes in our results of operations and financial condition between the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
We are a Canadian corporation, with principal assets and operations in the United States, whose primary business is developing and commercializing nanomaterial and titanium dioxide pigment technologies. We are organized into three divisions, a Power and Energy Group, a Performance Materials Division and a Life Sciences Division.  Our research, development, production and marketing efforts are currently directed toward three primary market applications that utilize our proprietary technologies:

Power and Energy Systems
o      
The design, development, and production of our nano lithium Titanate battery cells, batteries, and battery packs as well as related design and test services.
o      
The development, production and sale for testing purposes of electrode materials for use in a new class of high performance lithium ion batteries called nano lithium Titanate batteries.

Performance Materials Division
o      
Through AlSher Titania, the development and production of high quality titanium dioxide pigment for use in paint and coatings, and nano titanium dioxide materials for use in a variety of applications including those related to removing contaminants from air and water.
o      
The testing, development,  marketing and/or licensing of nano-structured ceramic powders for use in various application, such as advanced performance coatings, air and water purification systems, and nano-sensor applications.
 
16

 
Life Sciences
o      
The co-development of RenaZorb, a test-stage active pharmaceutical ingredient, which is designed to be useful in the treatment of elevated serum phosphate levels in human patients undergoing kidney dialysis.
o      
The development of a manufacturing process related to a test-stage active pharmaceutical ingredient, which is designed to be useful in the treatment of companion animals.

We also provide contract research services on select projects where we can utilize our resources to develop intellectual property and/or new products and technology.
 
Our revenues have been, and we expect them to continue to be, generated by license fees, product sales, commercial collaborations and contracts and grants.  We currently have agreements in place to (1) produce battery packs for the transportation market, (2) provide research to further develop battery electrode materials, nanosensors, and nanomaterials characterization, (3) to participate in a joint venture combining the technologies of the partners in order to develop and produce titanium dioxide pigment for use in paint and coatings and nano titanium dioxide materials for use in a variety of advanced materials applications, (4) to develop a suite of energy storage solutions for the stationary power market and (5) to develop battery backup power systems for Naval applications.  In addition, we have entered into a licensing agreement for RenaZorb, our pharmaceutical candidate for treatment of chronic renal failure in humans; we have licensed all potential pharmaceutical products for animal applications; and we have made product sales consisting principally of alumina, battery cells and battery modules.  Future revenues will depend on the success of our contracted projects, the results of our other research and development work, the success of the RenaZorb and animal application licensees in obtaining regulatory approval for the drugs, or other products, the successful completion of pilot plant operations in connection with AlSher Titania, the successful completion of pilot plant operations in connection with energy storage devices, and the success of our marketing efforts with respect to both product sales and technology licenses.

General Outlook

We have generated net losses in each fiscal year since incorporation.  In fiscal 2007, revenues from product sales, commercial collaborations and contracts and grants began to increase significantly, but operating expenses also increased significantly as we added employees and committed additional funds to our customer contracts, battery initiative, and pigment process technology.  Our gross profit margins on customer contracts for research and development work are very low, and in order that we may be profitable in the long run, our business plan focuses on the development of products and technologies that we expect will eventually bring a substantial amount of higher-margin revenues from licensing, manufacturing, product sales and other sources. We expect our nano lithium Titanate battery cells and packs to be a source of such higher-margin revenues.  In 2007, we increased spending for the battery initiative, manufacturing of the potential drug candidates, and pigment process development.  
 
As we attempt to significantly expand our revenues from licensing, manufacturing, sales and other sources, some of the key near-term events that will affect our long-term success prospects include the following:
 
In July 2007, we entered into a multi-year development and equipment purchase agreement with AES Energy Storage, LLC, a subsidiary of global power leader, The AES Corporation.  Under the terms of the deal, we are working jointly with AES to develop a suite of energy storage solutions specifically for AES.  The first two 1 megawatt prototype stationary battery packs were manufactured at our Indiana facility and were completed according to the delivery schedule in December 2007.  These packs have been connected to the electrical grid and full testing has commenced.  Assuming the successful testing of these packs, we expect our development relationship with AES to continue through 2008 and beyond.
 
In January 2007, we entered into a multi-year purchase and supply agreement with Phoenix for nano lithium Titanate battery packs to be used in electric vehicles produced by Phoenix.  Due to a slow down in production relating primarily to delays in Phoenix obtaining funding, projected orders for 2007 were not achieved.  In 2008, after becoming aware of a potential module configuration problem in the first-generation Phoenix battery packs manufactured in 2007, we agreed to replace 47 of the existing packs sold to Phoenix by means of a credit against re-designed second-generation battery packs and related engineering services.  Modeling and design of the modules for the second-generation battery packs is substantially complete.  While modeling and design of the modules for the second-generation battery packs is substantially complete, final testing and pre-production activities have been delayed pending ongoing negotiations with Phoenix regarding a new supply agreement. Our success in the transportation battery market will be impacted by our ability to focus on profitable segments of the market, where the strength of our technology offers distinct competitive advantages.
 
17

 
Spectrum must begin the testing and application processes necessary to receive FDA approval of RenaZorb and related products.  Spectrum has begun the process of information and data collection and presentation required to file an investigational new drug application with the FDA, which is a condition precedent to commencing human testing and the first stage of seeking regulatory approval.  We do not expect the application to be filed until early 2009.  In order for RenaZorb to be successful in the foreseeable future, it is important that Spectrum, with our assistance, submit its investigation new drug application by early 2009 and continue with testing.
 
We have formed the AlSher Titania joint venture with The Sherwin-Williams Company to develop and produce titanium dioxide pigment for use in paint and coatings.  We have generated considerable data from our 100 ton per year pilot plant, commissioned in February 2008 and are currently compiling that information for an engineering data package analysis and recommendation on next steps.  Based on review of this package, its impact on financial projections, and input from our partner, we will consider whether to undertake a more detailed engineering cost study aimed at a scale up to a 5000 ton per year demonstration plant.  The success of this joint venture and initial pilot plant trials is integral to continuing development and the ultimate commercialization of AHP.
 
Although it is not essential that all of these projects be successful in order to permit substantial long-term revenue growth, we believe that full commercialization of several of our technologies will be necessary in order to expand our revenues enough to create a likelihood of our becoming profitable in the long term.  We are optimistic with respect to our current key projects, as well as others we are pursuing, but recognize that, with respect to each, there are development, marketing, partnering and other risks to overcome.

Recent Business Developments

Power and Energy Group

In August 2007, we received an initial $1,000,000 order in connection with the AES Joint Development and Equipment Purchase Agreement for a 500 kilowatt-hour energy storage product.  In accordance with this purchase order, two 1 megawatt stationary battery packs (energy equivalent for each pack based on anticipated operational time is 250 kilowatt-hours of energy each) were manufactured in Indiana and completed according to the delivery schedule in December 2007.  This initial product is intended for use as a short-term duration buffer to regulate the frequency and voltage of the electrical utility system grid.  This buffering is called Regulation Services, and it serves to smooth the short term supply-demand imbalances inherent in power generation and delivery, thereby improving the quality of power delivered.  The stationary battery packs have been connected to the electrical grid and full testing has commenced.  Feedback that we have received to date regarding the test results has been very positive.  Testing is scheduled to be completed in early May 2008.  Assuming the successful testing of these packs, we expect our development relationship with AES to continue through 2008 and beyond.
 
Life Sciences
 
In September 2007, we entered into development services agreement with Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Company (“Elanco”).  Pursuant to the agreement, over a multi-year period, we will develop a manufacturing process related to a test-stage active pharmaceutical ingredient.  This development work will include making certain regulatory filings, installing related equipment, and providing related services.  Based on a previous agreement, Elanco has the exclusive right to develop and market this pharmaceutical ingredient.  Elanco has agreed to fund substantially all of the development process, at a cost of approximately $2,500,000.  Through the end of the first quarter of 2008, $886,116 has been billed under this agreement on a cumulative contract to date basis and approximately $1,613,884 of backlog remains to be fulfilled.

18


Performance Materials

In April 2007, a new company, called AlSher Titania LLC was formed.  AlSher Titania represents a joint venture with Sherwin-Williams, one of the world's leading manufacturers of paint and durable coatings.  Construction of the 100 ton pigment processing pilot plant in connection with the joint venture agreement was completed and the plant was commissioned in February 2008.  Testing under the piloting program has commenced and results to date have been positive.  Considerable data has been generated and is being compiled for an engineering data package analysis and recommendation on next steps.  Based on review of this package, its impact on financial projections, and input from our partner, we will consider whether to undertake a more detailed engineering cost study by mid 2008 relating to the anticipated scale up to a 5000 ton per year demonstration plant.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Current and Expected Liquidity
 
Historically, we have financed operations primarily through the issuance of equity securities (common shares, convertible notes, stock options and warrants) and by the issuance of debt.  In order to finance our existing operations and development plans, as well as to respond to any new business or acquisition opportunity, we will be required to raise capital in the future.  We do not have any commitments with respect to future financing and may, or may not, be able to obtain such financing on reasonable terms, or at all.  We have a single note payable in the original principal amount of $3,000,000 that does not contain any restrictive covenants with respect to the issuance of additional debt or equity securities by Altair.  The first three payments of $600,000 of principal plus accrued interest were due and paid on February 8, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  The current outstanding note payable balance is $1,200,000.  Future payments of principal and interest are due annually on February 8, 2009 and 2010.
 
Our cash and short-term investments decreased by $14,575,560, from $50,146,117 at December 31, 2007 to $35,570,557 at March 31, 2008, due primarily to net cash used in operations (approximately $13,503,000) purchases of property and equipment (approximately $904,000) and payment of notes payable ($600,000).  This decrease was partially offset by the receipt of proceeds resulting from the exercise of stock options and warrants (approximately $424,000).
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, our cash used in operations was $13,502,504.  This amount included $5,438,409 of significant one-time or annual payments as follows: $2,384,299 of commission and expenses were paid to the placement agent in connection with our sale of common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $40,000,000 to Al Yousuf, LLC in November 2007, $1,754,110 was paid in connection with the 2007 bonus plan, and $1,300,000 of raw materials purchases made in 2007 in anticipation of receipt of the next sales order from Phoenix under the 2007 purchase agreement were paid in the first quarter of 2008.  The amount of cash we use in operations is partially dependent on the amount and mix of revenues we generate.  In the three months ended March 31, 2008, revenues were $1,069,337, which included $163,930 of product sales.  We expect quarterly revenues to increase over first quarter levels during the remainder of the year, and we expect product sales to become a larger percentage of the sales mix.  If revenues associated with product sales increase, we expect our cash receipts to increase but also expect that our use of cash will increase as we expand inventory and as certain products are purchased through financing arrangements.
 
Our objective is to manage cash expenditures in a manner consistent with rapid product development that leads to the generation of revenues in the shortest possible time.  We believe we have adequate cash resources, and availability of additional capital if needed, to continue product development until higher-margin revenues and positive cash flow can be generated.
 
At May 5, 2008, we had 84,512,576 common shares issued and outstanding.  As of that same date, there were outstanding warrants to purchase up to 1,115,431 common shares and options to purchase up to 5,571,274 common shares.
 
19

 
Capital Commitments

The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations and the periods in which payments are due as of March 31, 2008:
 
         
Less Than
               
After
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
1 Year
   
1-3 Years
   
4-5 Years
   
5 Years
 
Notes Payable
  $ 1,200,000     $ 600,000     $ 600,000     $ -     $ -  
Interest on notes payable
    126,000       84,000       42,000       -       -  
Contractual Service Agreements
    2,712,274       2,712,274       -       -       -  
Facilities and Property Leases
    1,327,589       321,335       559,998       446,256       -  
Unfulfilled Purchase Orders
    1,847,342       1,847,342       -       -       -  
Total Contractual Obligations
  $ 7,213,205     $ 5,564,951     $ 1,201,998     $ 446,256     $ -  

In connection with the formation of the AlSher Titania joint venture, the Company committed to complete its pigment processing pilot plant and did commission the plant in February 2007.  Through March 31, 2008, approximately $3.9 million of capital expenditures, labor and development costs associated with the pigment processing pilot plant have been incurred.   No further expenditures are anticipated in relation to the assembly and commissioning of the pilot plant.
 
In 2007, we anticipated that a total of approximately $4.8 million would be spent on labor, equipment and building improvements and other implementation expenses related to preparations to manufacture our pharmaceutical products.  Based on updated forecasts in 2008, total anticipated expenditures have been revised to $2.4 million.  Of this amount, approximately $709,000 was spent in the first quarter of 2008 for a cumulative total of $1,674,000 incurred project to date through March 31, 2008.  We expect to spend approximately $445,000 on this effort through the end of June 30, 2008.
 
In July 2007, we signed a new lease agreement for 30,000 square feet of space in the Flagship Business Accelerator Building located at 3019 Enterprise Drive, Anderson, Indiana.  On March 1, 2008, we signed an amendment to this lease that increased the space leased by 40,000 square feet to a total of 70,000 square feet.  Total rent for the 70,000 square feet to be paid over the 5 year term including real estate taxes is $1,267,297.  The move from the Flagship Enterprise Center Building, an aggregate of 8,199 square feet, to the Accelerator Building was completed by the end of February 2008.  The landlord will provide the first $110,000 in additional leasehold improvements at no cost.  Through March 31, 2008 we spent $287,862 on build-out and leasehold improvements, net of the $99,000 credit received to date from the landlord.  An additional expenditure of $33,500 is expected to complete the improvements by the end of the second quarter ending June 30, 2008, net of the remaining credit from the landlord of $11,000.
 
We also intend to purchase equipment for our Reno, Nevada facility for use in the development and expansion of our current advanced battery materials production capabilities.  Through March 31, 2008, approximately $398,000 was expended on production equipment.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There were no off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2008.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management based the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an on-going basis, we evaluate our critical accounting policies and estimates, including those related to inventory, long-lived assets, share-based compensation, revenue recognition, accrued warranty, overhead allocation, minority interest, allowance for doubtful accounts and deferred income taxes.   We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
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We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These judgments and estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Changes to these judgments and estimates could adversely affect our future results of operations and cash flows.
 
Revenue Recognition.  We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been performed, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collectability is probable, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission “Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 – Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements”.  Historically, our revenues have been derived from four sources: license fees, commercial collaborations, contract research and development and product sales.  License fees are recognized when the agreement is signed, we have performed all material obligations related to the particular milestone payment or other revenue component and the earnings process is complete.  Revenue for product sales is recognized upon delivery of the product, unless specific contractual terms dictate otherwise.  Based on the specific terms and conditions of each contract/grant, revenues are recognized on a time and materials basis, a percentage of completion basis and/or a completed contract basis.  Revenue under contracts based on time and materials is recognized at contractually billable rates as labor hours and expenses are incurred.  Revenue under contracts based on a fixed fee arrangement is recognized based on various performance measures, such as stipulated milestones.  As these milestones are achieved, revenue is recognized.  From time to time, facts develop that may require us to revise our estimated total costs or revenues expected.  The cumulative effect of revised estimates is recorded in the period in which the facts requiring revisions become known.  The full amount of anticipated losses on any type of contract is recognized in the period in which it becomes known.  Payments received in advance relating to the future performance of services or deliveries of products are deferred until the performance of the service is complete or the product is shipped.  Based on specific customer bill and hold agreements, revenue is recognized when the inventory is shipped to a third party storage warehouse, the inventory is segregated and marked as sold, the customer takes the full rights of ownership and title to the inventory upon shipment to the warehouse per the bill and hold agreement.  When contract terms include multiple components that are considered separate units of accounting, the revenue is attributed to each component and revenue recognition may occur at different points in time for product shipment, installation, and service contracts based on substantial completion of the earnings process.

Accrued Warranty.  We provide a limited warranty for battery packs and energy storage systems.  A liability is recorded for estimated warranty obligations at the date products are sold.  Since these are new products, the estimated cost of warranty coverage is based on cell and module life cycle testing and compared for reasonableness to warranty rates on competing battery products.  As sufficient actual historical data is collected on the new product, the estimated cost of warranty coverage will be adjusted accordingly.  The liability for estimated warranty obligations may also be adjusted based on specific warranty issues identified.

Share-Based Compensation.  We have a stock incentive plan that provides for the issuance of common stock options to employees and service providers.  We calculate compensation expense under SFAS 123R using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.  In so doing, we estimate certain key assumptions used in the model.  We believe the estimates we use are appropriate and reasonable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and the aging of accounts receivable.  We analyze historical bad debts, the aging of customer accounts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment patterns when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.  From period to period, differences in judgments or estimates utilized may result in material differences in the amount and timing of our bad debt expenses.
 
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Long-Lived Assets.  Our long-lived assets consist principally of the nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment assets, the intellectual property (patents and patent applications) associated with them, and a building.  Included in these long-lived assets are those that relate to our research and development process.  These assets are initially evaluated for capitalization based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 2, Accounting for Research and Development Costs.  If the assets have alternative future uses (in research and development projects or otherwise), they are capitalized when acquired or constructed; if they do not have alternative future uses, they are expensed as incurred. At March 31, 2008, the carrying value of these assets was $14,275,641, or 24% of total assets.  We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist.  In our evaluation, we estimate the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, and recognize impairment when such cash flows will be less than the carrying values.  Events or circumstances that could indicate the existence of a possible impairment include obsolescence of the technology, an absence of market demand for the product, and/or the partial or complete lapse of technology rights protection.
 
Minority Interest – In April 2007, the Company and Sherwin-Williams entered into an agreement to form AlSher Titania LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.  AlSher Titania is a joint venture combining certain technologies of the Company and Sherwin-Williams in order to develop and produce titanium dioxide pigment for use in paint and coatings and nano titanium dioxide materials for use in a variety of applications, including those related to removing contaminants from air and water.  Pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated April 24, 2007 among Altairnano, Inc, Sherwin-Williams and AlSher Titania, Altairnano contributed to AlSher Titania an exclusive license to use Altairnano’s technology (including its hydrochloride pigment process) for the production of titanium dioxide pigment and other titanium containing materials (other than battery or nanoelectrode materials) and certain pilot plant assets with a net book value of $3,110,000.  Altairnano received no consideration for the license granted to AlSher Titania other than its ownership interest in AlSher Titania.  Sherwin-Williams agreed to contribute to AlSher Titania cash and a license agreement related to a technology for the manufacture of titanium dioxide using the digestion of ilmenite in hydrochloric acid.  As a condition to enter into the second phase of the joint venture, we agreed to complete the pigment pilot processing plant and related development activities by January 2008.  The 100 ton pigment pilot processing plant was commissioned in February 2008 and the costs associated with this effort were partially reimbursed by AlSher Titania.  Altairnano contributes any work in process and fixed assets associated with completion of the pigment pilot processing plant to the AlSher Titania joint venture.  For each reporting period, AlSher Titania is consolidated with the Company’s subsidiaries because the Company has a controlling interest in AlSher Titania and any inter-company transactions are eliminated (refer to Note 1 – Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements).  The minority shareholder’s interest in the net assets and net income or loss of AlSher Titania are reported as minority interest in subsidiary on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and as minority interest share in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, respectively.

Overhead Allocation.  Facilities overhead, which is comprised primarily of occupancy and related expenses, is initially recorded in general and administrative expenses and then allocated monthly to research and development expense and product inventories based on labor costs.  Facilities overhead allocated to research and development projects may be chargeable when invoicing customers under certain research and development contracts.

Deferred Income Taxes.  Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Future tax benefits are subject to a valuation allowance when management is unable to conclude that its deferred income tax assets will more likely than not be realized from the results of operations.  The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred income tax assets that may not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred income tax assets become deductible, management believes there is insufficient basis for projecting that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences as of March 31, 2008.  Management has, therefore, established a full valuation allowance against its net deferred income tax assets as of March 31, 2008.
 
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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, which was the first quarter of our 2008 fiscal year, totaled $8,288,436 ($.10 per share) compared to a net loss of $5,181,467 ($.07 per share) in the first quarter of 2007.
 
Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were $1,069,337 compared to $1,140,932 for the same period of 2007.  The decrease in revenue is primarily due to a reduction in Contract and Grant revenues of $231,660 relating to the grants that have ended or have reached their budget limits (the March 2007 subcontract with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Research Foundation and the Nanosensor and Lithium Ion Battery objectives of the August 2006 Department of Energy Research Grant) and a decrease in product revenues of $13,460.  This decrease is offset by an increase of $173,525 in Commercial Collaborations revenues that primarily relates to the September 2007 development services agreement with Elanco.
 
Cost of sales - product decreased by $152,053, from $210,262 in the first quarter of 2007 to $58,209 in the same quarter of 2008.  This change is driven by an overall decrease in product of sales of $13,460, as well as a shift from sales of less profitable lithium Titanate powder in the first quarter of 2007 to more profitable prototype cells and modules in the same quarter of 2008.
 
Research and development or R&D expense increased by $2,260,707, from $2,997,327 in the first quarter of 2007 to $5,258,034 in the same quarter of 2008.  Labor and overhead costs increased by approximately $590,000 due to the addition of 19 new employees.  Expenditures for materials, supplies and other operating costs (exclusive of labor) increased for the following divisions:  Power and Energy Group expenses increased by approximately $1,515,000 ($1,130,000 relates to raw material and cell purchases for developmental activities, $320,000 of materials relating to 2008 customer purchase orders and development agreements, and an increase in R&D consulting charges of $65,000); Life Sciences expenses increased by approximately $206,000 primarily due to the September 2007 development services agreement with Elanco and increased activity associated with our subcontract agreement with the University of California, Santa Barbara; and Performance Material expenses increased by approximately $153,000 due to completion and commissioning of the pilot plant in February 2008.  These increases are offset by a decrease of $117,000 in internal research and development activities and a decrease of $86,000 relating to the Nanosensor objective of the August 2006 Department of Energy grant that was fully expended in 2007.
 
Sales and marketing expense increased by $314,608, from $380,536 in the first quarter of 2007 to $665,928 in the same quarter of 2008.  This increase reflects the retention of consultants relating to business development and  defining and developing our branding in the United States, as well as in Europe.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased by $142,551, from $431,058 in first quarter of 2007 to $573,609 in the first quarter of 2008.  The increase in depreciation reflects the addition of approximately $2,167,000 and $1,124,000 of production equipment from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, relating to expansion of production capabilities at the Reno and Indiana facilities, respectively.
 
Minority interest increased by $108,413 in the first quarter of 2008.  This increase reflects Sherwin-Williams minority interest share of the AlSher Titania joint venture’s loss for the quarter ending March 31, 2008.   AlSher Titania was not formed until April 2007.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We do not have any derivative instruments, commodity instruments, or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor are we presently at material risk for changes in interest rates on foreign currency exchange rates.

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Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

(a)  Based on the evaluation of our "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, our president and our chief financial officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by governing rules and forms.
 
(b)  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Material Changes in Risk Factors
 
The Risk Factors set forth below do not reflect any material changes from the “Risk Factors” identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
 
We have made immaterial edits and updated the financial and other data referenced in the risk factors as of a recent practicable date.

Risk Factors

An investment in our common shares involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks described in this Report before making an investment decision. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, you may lose all or part of your investment. Some factors in this section are forward-looking statements.
 
We may continue to experience significant losses from operations.
 
We have experienced a loss in every fiscal year since our inception.  Our losses from operations were $33,067,474 in 2007 and $8,749,195 for the three months ended March 31, 2008.  Even if we do generate operating income in one or more quarters in the future, subsequent developments in our industry, customer base, business or cost structure, or an event such as significant litigation or a significant transaction, may cause us to again experience operating losses.  We may never become profitable for the long-term, or even for any quarter.
 
Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past and will continue to fluctuate in the future, which could cause our stock price to decline.
 
Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past, and we believe that they will continue to fluctuate in the future, due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If in future periods our operating results do not meet the expectations of investors or analysts who choose to follow our company, our stock price may fall.  Factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include the following:
 
 
fluctuations in the size and timing of customer orders from one quarter to the next;
 
timing of delivery of our services and products;
 
addition of new customers or loss of existing customers;
 
our ability to commercialize and obtain orders for products we are developing;
 
costs associated with developing our manufacturing capabilities;
 
new product announcements or introductions by our competitors or potential competitors;
 
the effect of variations in the market price of our common shares on our equity-based compensation expenses;
 
warranty claims or product recalls that exceed expectations;
 
acquisitions of businesses or customers;
 
technology and intellectual property issues associated with our products;
 
general economic trends, including changes in energy prices, or geopolitical events such as war or incidents of terrorism; and
 
loss of key employees, or our inability to attract appropriate new employees to meet expected growth.
 
Our revenues have historically been generated from low-margin contract research services; if we cannot expand revenues from other products and services, our business will fail.
 
Historically, a significant portion of our revenues has come from contract research services for businesses and government agencies. During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, contract services revenues comprised 55%, 67%, and 70%, respectively, of our operating revenues. Contract services revenue is low margin and unlikely to grow at a rapid pace. Our business plan anticipates revenues from product sales and licensing, both of which have potential for higher margins and more rapid growth, increasing in coming years. If we are not successful in significantly expanding our revenues from higher margin products and services, our revenue growth will be slow, and it is unlikely that we will achieve profitability.
 
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Our patents and other protective measures may not adequately protect our proprietary intellectual property, and we may be infringing on the rights of others.
 
We regard our intellectual property, particularly our proprietary rights in our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology, as critical to our success. We have received various patents, and filed other patent applications, for various applications and aspects of our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology and other intellectual property. In addition, we generally enter into confidentiality and invention agreements with our employees and consultants. Such patents and agreements and various other measures we take to protect our intellectual property from use by others may not be effective for various reasons, including the following:

Our pending patent applications may not be granted for various reasons, including the existence of conflicting patents or defects in our applications;
The patents we have been granted may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented because of the pre-existence of similar patented or unpatented intellectual property rights or for other reasons;
Parties to the confidentiality and invention agreements may have such agreements declared unenforceable or, even if the agreements are enforceable, may breach such agreements;
The costs associated with enforcing patents, confidentiality and invention agreements or other intellectual property rights may make aggressive enforcement cost prohibitive;
Even if we enforce our rights aggressively, injunctions, fines and other penalties may be insufficient to deter violations of our intellectual property rights; and
Other persons may independently develop proprietary information and techniques that, although functionally equivalent or superior to our intellectual proprietary information and techniques, do not breach our patented or unpatented proprietary rights.
 
Because the value of our company and common shares is rooted primarily in our proprietary intellectual property rights, our inability to protect our proprietary intellectual property rights or gain a competitive advantage from such rights could harm our ability to generate revenues and, as a result, our business and operations.
 
In addition, we may inadvertently be infringing on the proprietary rights of other persons and may be required to obtain licenses to certain intellectual property or other proprietary rights from third parties. Such licenses or proprietary rights may not be made available under acceptable terms, if at all. If we do not obtain required licenses or proprietary rights, we could encounter delays in product development or find that the development or sale of products requiring such licenses is foreclosed.
 
Because our products are generally components of end products, the viability of many or our products is tied to the success of third parties' existing and potential end products.
 
Few of the existing or potential products being developed with our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology are designed for direct use by the ultimate end user. Phrased differently, most of our products are components of other products. For example, our nano-structured lithium Titanate battery materials and batteries are designed for use in end-user products such as electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and other potential products. Other potential products and processes we and our partners are developing using our technology, such as titanium dioxide pigments, life science materials, air and water treatment products, and coatings, are similarly expected to be components of third-party products. As a result, the market for our products is dependent upon third parties creating or expanding markets for their end-user products that utilize our products. If such end-user products are not developed, or the market for such end-user products contracts or fails to develop, the market for our component products would be expected to similarly contract or collapse. This would limit our ability to generate revenues and would harm our business and operations.
 
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The commercialization of many of our technologies is dependent upon the efforts of commercial partners and other third parties over which we have no or little control.
 
We do not have the expertise or resources to commercialize all potential applications of our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology. For example, we do not have the resources necessary to complete the testing of, and obtain FDA approval for, RenaZorb and other potential life sciences products or to construct a commercial facility to use our titanium dioxide pigment production technology. Other potential applications of our technology, such as those related to our nano-structure LTO electrode materials, coating materials and dental materials, are likely to be developed in collaboration with third parties, if at all. With respect to these and substantially all other applications of our technology, the commercialization of a potential application of our technology is dependent, in part, upon the expertise, resources and efforts of our commercial partners. This presents certain risks, including the following:
 
we may not be able to enter into development, licensing, supply and other agreements with commercial partners with appropriate resources, technology and expertise on reasonable terms or at all;
   
our commercial partners may not place the same priority on a project as we do, may fail to honor contractual commitments, may not have the level of resources, expertise, market strength or other characteristics necessary for the success of the project, may dedicate only limited resources and/or may abandon a development project for reasons, including reasons, such as a shift in corporate focus, unrelated to its merits;
   
our commercial partners may be in the early stages of development and may not have sufficient liquidity to invest in joint development projects, expand their businesses and purchase our products as expected or honor contractual commitments;
   
our commercial partners may terminate joint testing, development or marketing projects on the merits of the projects for various reasons, including determinations that a project is not feasible, cost-effective or likely to lead to a marketable end product;
   
at various stages in the testing, development, marketing or production process, we may have disputes with our commercial partners, which may inhibit development, lead to an abandonment of the project or have other negative consequences; and
   
even if the commercialization and marketing of jointly developed products is successful, our revenue share may be limited and may not exceed our associated development and operating costs.

As a result of the actions or omissions of our commercial partners, or our inability to identify and enter into suitable arrangements with qualified commercial partners, we may be unable to commercialize apparently viable products on a timely and cost-effective basis, or at all.
 
Our battery business has been harmed by a module configuration issue associated with the Phoenix battery pack, and our ability to continue our battery business will be dependent upon our   ability to address related concerns.
 
As a result of a risk associated with the battery packs we designed for use in electric cars produced by Phoenix, we agreed to replace 47 of the first-generation battery packs sold to Phoenix.  This has harmed our relationship with Phoenix and with other current and potential purchasers of our battery products and technology.  If the new battery we design and develop for Phoenix does not address the noted module configuration issue and is not otherwise safe and effective, we will be unable to continue our supply arrangement with Phoenix over the long term.  In addition, the design issues with Phoenix have created, and will continue to create, concerns among other current and potential customers.  Any failure to address issues associated with the battery packs we supplied to Phoenix will also harm our ability to attract and retain customers for other applications of our battery technology.
 
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If we acquire or invest in other companies, assets or technologies and we are not able to integrate them with our business, or we do not realize the anticipated financial and strategic goals for any of these transactions, our financial performance may be impaired.
 
As part of our growth strategy, we routinely consider acquiring or making investments in companies, assets or technologies that we believe are strategic to our business. We do not have extensive experience in integrating new businesses or technologies, and if we do succeed in acquiring or investing in a company or technology, we will be exposed to a number of risks, including:
 
we may find that the acquired company or technology does not further our business strategy, that we overpaid for the company or technology or that the economic conditions underlying our acquisition decision have changed;
 
we may have difficulty integrating the assets, technologies, operations or personnel of an acquired company, or retaining the key personnel of the acquired company;
 
our ongoing business and management's attention may be disrupted or diverted by transition or integration issues and the complexity of managing geographically or culturally diverse enterprises;
 
we may encounter difficulty entering and competing in new product or geographic markets or increased competition, including price competition or intellectual property litigation; and
 
we may experience significant problems or liabilities associated with product quality, technology and legal contingencies relating to the acquired business or technology, such as intellectual property or employment matters.

In addition, from time to time we may enter into negotiations for acquisitions or investments that are not ultimately consummated. These negotiations could result in significant diversion of management time, as well as substantial out-of-pocket costs. If we were to proceed with one or more significant acquisitions or investments in which the consideration included cash, we could be required to use a substantial portion of our available cash. If we issue shares of capital stock or other rights to purchase capital stock, including options and warrants, existing stockholders would be diluted. In addition, acquisitions and investments may result in the incurrence of debt, large one-time write-offs, such as acquired in-process research and development costs, and restructuring charges.
 
We intend to expand our operations and increase our expenditures in an effort to grow our business. If we are unable to achieve or manage significant growth and expansion, or if our business does not grow as we expect, our operating results may suffer.
 
During the past year, we have significantly increased our research and development expenditures in an attempt to accelerate the commercialization of certain products, particularly our nano-structured LTO electrode materials and battery systems. Our business plan anticipates continued additional expenditure on development, manufacturing and other growth initiatives. We may not achieve significant growth despite such expenditures. If achieved, significant growth would place increased demands on our management, accounting systems, network infrastructure and systems of financial and internal controls. We may be unable to expand associated resources and refine associated systems fast enough to keep pace with expansion, especially as we expand into multiple facilities at distant locations. If we fail to ensure that our management, control and other systems keep pace with growth, we may experience a decline in the effectiveness and focus of our management team, problems with the timeliness and accuracy of our reporting, issues with costs and quality controls and other problems associated with a failure to manage rapid growth, all of which would harm our results of operations.

Our competitors have more resources than we do, which may give them a competitive advantage.
 
We have limited financial personnel and other resources and, because of our early stage of development, have limited access to capital.  We compete or may compete against entities that are much larger than we are, have more extensive resources than we do and have an established reputation and operating history.  Because of their size, resources, reputation, history and other factors, certain of our competitors may be able to exploit acquisition, development and joint venture opportunities more rapidly, easily or thoroughly than we can.  In addition, potential customers may choose to do business with our more established competitors, without regard to the comparative quality of our products, because of their perception that our competitors are more stable, are more likely to complete various projects, are more likely to continue as a going concern and lend greater credibility to any joint venture.
 
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We will not generate substantial revenues from our life science products unless proposed products receive FDA approval and achieve substantial market penetration.
 
We have entered into development and license agreements with respect to RenaZorb, a potential drug candidate for humans with kidney disease, and other life science products, and expect to enter into additional licensing and/or supply agreements in the future.  Most of the potential life sciences applications of our technologies are subject to regulation by the FDA and similar regulatory bodies.  In general, license agreements in the life sciences area call for milestone payments as certain milestones related to the development of the products and the obtaining of regulatory approval are met; however, the receipt by the licensor of substantial recurring revenues is generally tied to the receipt of marketing approval from the FDA and the amount of revenue generated from the sale of end products.   There are substantial risks associated with licensing arrangements, including the following:

Further testing of potential life science products using our technology may indicate that such products are less effective than existing products, unsafe, have significant side effects or are otherwise not viable;
 
The licensees may be unable to obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for technical, political or other reasons or, even if a licensee obtains such approval, it may obtain such approval much later than expected or projected; and
 
End products for which FDA approval is obtained, if any, may fail to obtain significant market share for various reasons, including questions about efficacy, need, safety and side effects or because of poor marketing by the licensee.

If any of the foregoing risks, or other risks associated with our life science products were to occur, we would not receive substantial, recurring revenue from our life science division, which would adversely affect our overall business, operations and financial condition.
 
As manufacturing becomes a larger part of our operations, we will become exposed to accompanying risks and liabilities.
 
We have not produced any pigments, nanoparticles or other products using our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology and equipment on a sustained commercial basis.  In-house or outsourced manufacturing is becoming an increasingly significant part of our business.  If and as manufacturing becomes a larger part of our business, we will become increasingly subject to various risks associated with the manufacturing and supply of products, including the following:

If we fail to supply products in accordance with contractual terms, including terms related to time of delivery and performance specifications, we may become liable for replacement, direct, special, consequential and other damages, even if manufacturing or delivery was outsourced;
 
Raw materials used in the manufacturing process, labor and other key inputs may become scarce and expensive, causing our costs to exceed cost projections and associated revenues;
 
Manufacturing processes typically involve large machinery, fuels and chemicals, any or all of which may lead to accidents involving bodily harm, destruction of facilities and environmental contamination and associated liabilities; and
 
As our manufacturing operations expand, we expect that a significant portion of our manufacturing will be done overseas, either by third-party contractors or in a plant owned by the company.  Any manufacturing done overseas presents risks associated with quality control, currency exchange rates, foreign laws and customs, timing and loss risks associated with overseas transportation and potential adverse changes in the political, legal and social environment in the host county; and
   
We may have, and may be required to, make representations as to our right to supply and/or license intellectual property and to our compliance with laws. Such representations are usually supported by indemnification provisions requiring us to defend our customers and otherwise make them whole if we license or supply products that infringe on third-party technologies or violate government regulations.
 
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Any failure to adequately manage risks associated with the manufacture and supply of materials and products could lead to losses (or small gross profits) from that segment of our business and/or significant liabilities, which would adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition.
 
We may not be able to raise sufficient capital to meet future obligations.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we had approximately $35.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.  As we take additional steps to enhance our commercialization and marketing efforts, or respond to acquisition opportunities or potential adverse events, our use of working capital may increase significantly. In any such event, absent a comparatively significant increase in revenue in the immediate future, we will need to raise additional capital in order to sustain our ongoing operations, continue unfinished testing and additional development work and, if certain of our products are commercialized, construct and operate facilities for the production of those products.   
 
We may not be able to obtain the amount of additional capital needed or may be forced to pay an extremely high price for capital.  Factors affecting the availability and price of capital may include the following:

market factors affecting the availability and cost of capital generally;
 
the price, volatility and trading volume of our common shares;
 
our financial results, particularly the amount of revenue we are generating from operations;
   
the amount of our capital needs;
 
the market's perception of companies in one or more of our lines of business;
 
the economics of projects being pursued; and
 
the market's perception of our ability to execute our business plan and any specific projects identified as uses of proceeds.

If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital or are forced to pay a high price for capital, we may be unable to meet future obligations or adequately exploit existing or future opportunities.
 
Our past and future operations may lead to substantial environmental liability.
 
Virtually any prior or future use of our nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws. In addition, we are in the process of reclaiming mineral property that we leased in Tennessee.  Under applicable environmental laws, we may be jointly and severally liable with prior property owners for the treatment, cleanup, remediation and/or removal of any hazardous substances discovered at any property we use. In addition, courts or government agencies may impose liability for, among other things, the improper release, discharge, storage, use, disposal or transportation of hazardous substances.  If we incur any significant environmental liabilities, our ability to execute our business plan and our financial condition would be harmed.
 
Certain of our experts and directors reside in Canada and may be able to avoid civil liability.
 
We are a Canadian corporation, and several of our directors and our Canadian legal counsel are residents of Canada. As a result, investors may be unable to effect service of process upon such persons within the United States and may be unable to enforce court judgments against such persons predicated upon civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.  It is uncertain whether Canadian courts would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such directors, officers or experts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws or impose liability in original actions against us or our directors, officers or experts predicated upon U.S. securities laws.
 
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We are dependent on key personnel.
 
Our continued success will depend to a significant extent on the services of our senior management and key scientists.  We have key man insurance on the life of Dr. Sabacky.  We do not have agreements requiring any of our key personnel to remain with our company.  The loss or unavailability of any or all of these individuals would harm our ability to execute our business plan, maintain important business relationships and complete certain product development initiatives, which would harm our business.
 
We may issue substantial amounts of additional shares without stockholder approval.
 
Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares that may be issued without any action or approval by our stockholders.  In addition, we have various stock option plans that have potential for diluting the ownership interests of our stockholders.  The issuance of any additional common shares would further dilute the percentage ownership of our company held by existing stockholders.
 
The market price of our common shares is highly volatile and may increase or decrease dramatically at any time.
 
The market price of our common shares may be highly volatile. Our stock price may change dramatically as the result of announcements of product developments, new products or innovations by us or our competitors, uncertainty regarding the viability of the nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology or any of our product initiatives, significant customer contracts, significant litigation or other factors or events that would be expected to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.  In addition, the market price for our common shares may be affected by various factors not directly related to our business or future prospects, including the following:

Intentional manipulation of our stock price by existing or future shareholders or a reaction by investors to trends in our stock rather than the fundamentals of our business;
A single acquisition or disposition, or several related acquisitions or dispositions, of a large number of our shares, including by short sellers covering their position;
The interest of the market in our business sector, without regard to our financial condition, results of operations or business prospects;
Positive or negative statements or projections about our company or our industry, by analysts, stock gurus and other persons;
The adoption of governmental regulations or government grant programs and similar developments in the United States or abroad that may enhance or detract from our ability to offer our products and services or affect our cost structure; and
Economic and other external market factors, such as a general decline in market prices due to poor economic indicators or investor distrust.

We have never declared a cash dividend and do not intend to declare a cash dividend in the foreseeable future.
 
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common shares.  We currently intend to retain any     future  earnings, if any, for use in our business and, therefore, do not anticipate paying dividends on our common shares  in the foreseeable future.
 
We are subject to various regulatory regimes, and may be adversely affected by inquiries, investigations and allegations that we have not complied with governing rules and laws.
 
In light of our status as a public company and our lines of business, we are subject to a variety of laws and regulatory regimes in addition to those applicable to all businesses generally.  For example, we are subject to the reporting requirements applicable to Canadian and United States reporting issuers, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the NASDAQ Capital Market and certain state and provincial securities laws. We are also subject to state and federal environmental, health and safety laws, and rules governing department of defense contracts. Such laws and rules change frequently and are often complex.  In connection with such laws, we are subject to periodic audits, inquiries and investigations.  Any such audits, inquiries and investigations may divert considerable financial and human resources and adversely affect the execution of our business plan. 
 
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Through such audits, inquiries and investigations, we or a regulator may determine that we are out of compliance with one or more governing rules or laws.  Remedying such non-compliance diverts additional financial and human resources.  In addition, in the future, we may be subject to a formal charge or determination that we have materially violated a governing law, rule or regulation.  We may also be subject to lawsuits as a result of alleged violation of the securities laws or governing corporate laws.  Any charge or allegation, and particularly any determination, that we had materially violated a governing law would harm our ability to enter into business relationships, recruit qualified officers and employees and raise capital.
 
Item 5.   Other Information
 
On July 18, 2007, we signed a new lease agreement effective as of July 1, 2007 for 30,000 square feet of space in the Flagship Business Accelerator Building located at 3019 Enterprise Drive, Anderson, Indiana.  The lease is for an initial term of 5 years with a single one-year renewal term.  On March 1, 2008, we signed an addendum to this lease that increased the space leased by 40,000 square feet and set forth corresponding adjustments in our rent.   A copy of the addendum is filed with this Report as Exhibit 10.1
 
On January 20, 2008, Douglas Ellsworth, Vice President of Life Sciences, and an officer of the company received a merit increase that increased his annual base salary to $157,500.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we modified our Form of Stock Option and Form of Restricted Stock Agreements to include change in control provisions pertaining to executive level positions.  Copies of the revised agreements are filed with this Report as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively.
 
On April 10, 2008, we paid a bonus of $25,000 to Terry Copeland, our President, in consideration of the additional duties assumed upon his appointment to President in February 2008.

Item 6.   Exhibits
 
a)  See Exhibit Index attached hereto following the signature page.
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

     
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.
 
         
         
 
May 8, 2008
 
By: /s/ Terry M. Copeland
 
 
Date
 
Terry M. Copeland, President
 
         
         
 
May 8, 2008
 
By: /s/ John Fallini
 
 
Date
 
John Fallini, Chief Financial Officer
 

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit
 
Incorporated by Reference/ Filed Herewith
3.1
 
Articles of Continuance
 
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 18, 2002, File No. 001-12497
         
3.2
 
Bylaws
 
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004  filed with the SEC on March 9, 2005, File No. 001-12497
         
10.1
 
Amendment to the Flagship Business Accelerator Tenant Lease dated March 1, 2008 with the Flagship Enterprise Center, Inc.
 
Filed herewith
         
10.2
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Level 12 Executive Officer
 
Filed herewith
         
10.3
 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Level 12 Executive Officer
 
Filed herewith
         
31.1
 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
Filed herewith
         
31.2
 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
Filed herewith
         
32.1
 
Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
Filed herewith
         
32.2
 
Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
Filed herewith

* Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 24b-2 and are subject to a confidential treatment request.
 
 
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