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Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Atraverda's Launch of a Radical Lead Acid Battery Technology
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan selected Atraverda as the recipient of the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation for its introduction of bipolar substrate technology to the lead acid battery chemistry.

This bipolar solution has the Ebonex(R) Technology tag, is protected by worldwide patents, and is expected to create a major breakthrough in stationary lead acid and motive lead acid (MLA) battery markets. Atraverda is also exploring the exciting possibility of using the Ebonex technology in nickel metal hydride and lithium systems.

MLA batteries used in heavy-duty equipment as well as in railroad, airport, and mining applications demand rugged and robust construction and oftentimes, these batteries are bulky and are less efficient than other battery chemistries. MLA batteries that use the Ebonex(R) Technology are lighter, two times more efficient than conventional MLA batteries, and have reduced charging time.

"With the increasing demand in telecommunication and data communication segments, Atraverda will initially focus on the backup power (stationary) segment to achieve growth and full commercialization in the lead acid market," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Suba Swaminathan. "The technology has significant benefits for the automotive sector and will also aid the motive segment significantly."

The Ebonex(R) Technology uses a ceramic that is a titanium suboxide material, which has a unique combination of metallic and ceramic substrate characteristics. The Ebonex(R) material used in batteries offers the conductivity of a metal along with excellent resistance to oxidation and acid corrosion.

"The cross section of the bipolar lead acid battery includes the electrodes, which are bipolar and electrolyte in an absorbed glass mat (AGM) form housed in a container with monopole electrodes at each end of the stack," notes Swaminathan. "The current flow in the battery is provided by endplates (monopoles) and the flow is complete when it flows orthogonally through each intermediate bipole plate in uniform fashion."

Some outstanding advantages of this technology include overall reduction in the usage of lead, making the batteries more environment-friendly and lightweight. This minimal use of lead also enables the shipment of more batteries in the same space and lower costs of transportation as well as offers respite from the escalating price of lead.

The simplicity in construction coupled with increased efficiency and maintenance-free structure has tremendous market appeal and has already secured initial users and partners for this technology.

Atraverda is in the process of signing more such agreements with leading battery market participants across all geographic regions. These agreements will globalize this technology, thereby ensuring improved efficiency and performance of MLA batteries in all motive power applications. It will also revive the lead acid battery market, which has suffered from limited product differentiation.

Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. This award recognizes the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce technology, formulate a well-designed product family, and make significant product performance contributions to the industry.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Atraverda Limited

Atraverda is making revolutionary energy solutions a reality. Its patented Ebonex(R) technology is the first commercially viable bi-polar product to enter the market that makes lead-acid batteries smaller, lighter and more reliable.

The arrival of Ebonex(R) technology signifies a new era for the battery manufacturing industry and its customers. With the backing of global investors its technology will be manufactured across the world to service a host of markets: standby power, mobility, military, telecoms, automotive including hybrid electric vehicles. Ebonex(R) bi-polar batteries are an environmentally strong technology with significantly less lead used than conventional batteries.

Backed up by highly experienced senior management and technical teams, Atraverda is an ambitious and fast-growing international company based in Wales, UK, focused on realising the potential of its unique, world-class technology.

Atraverda has five key partners: * The Sagentia Group, Cambridge, UK * Scottish Equity Partners, Scotland, UK * Finance Wales, Wales Fund Managers, UK * Enertech Capital, USA * Onpoint Technologies, USA

For further information, please visit http://www.atraverda.com/ or contact Daniel Tyte ([e-mail] ) or Angharad Neagle ([e-mail] ) at Merllin PR on [phone].

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.awards.frost.com/ or http://www.batteries.frost.com/ .

Contact: Stacie Jones 210.247.2450 [e-mail]

Frost & Sullivan

CONTACT: Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, [phone], [e-mail] ; or Daniel Tyte, [e-mail] , orAngharad Neagle, [e-mail] , both of Merllin PR,[phone], for Atraverda Limited

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