CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Starmet Corporation (Nasdaq: STMT)
a Concord, Massachusetts based manufacturer of specialized metal products,
today announced the recent award of two Small Business Innovative Research
(SBIR) contracts by the Department of Energy to investigate methods for making
fluoride gases used for manufacturing germanium semiconductors and titanium
metal. Earlier this year, Starmet was granted three US Patents covering this
new technology, and has five additional patent applications pending.
Starmet's process can be used to extract the fluorine contained in the
enormous stockpile of depleted uranium hexafluoride now in storage at DOE
sites in Paducah, KY, Portsmouth, OH and Oak Ridge, TN. Other processes for
converting depleted uranium hexafluoride to uranium oxide produce only low
grade hydrofluoric acid. In contrast, Starmet can make high purity fluoride
compounds valuable in electronics, chemical and metals manufacturing. Some of
the fluoride products and applications currently being pursued are:
-- Silicon tetrafluoride (SiF4) for manufacture of amorphous silicon
for photovoltaics, and isotopically enriched silicon metal for high
speed chips.
-- Phosphorous pentafluoride (PF5) for manufacture of lithium
hexafluorophosphate electrolyte used in Li-ion batteries for cell
phones and lap top computers.
-- Boron trifluoride (BF3), germanium tetrafluoride (GeF4) and tungsten
hexafluoride (WF6) gases used in the manufacture of semiconductor
devices.
-- Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) used in the production of titanium
metal.
Production of other fluorides and applications are currently being pursued
to further enhance the value of this novel technology. The company is
presently discussing scale-up of this technology with potential partners.
Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:
Statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact are
"forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include statements
concerning the relative economic benefits of this technology, competing
processes, intended market applications and scale-up with potential partners.
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and, accordingly, actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: the acceptance of the Company's products and services; and the
presence of competitors with greater technical, marketing and financial
resources.
For further information, please contact:
Robert E. Quinn
President
(978) 369-5410
Company News on Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/632850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 632850
Web Site: http://www.starmet.com
SOURCE Starmet Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.starmet.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/632850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 632850
CONTACT:
Robert E. Quinn, President of Starmet,
978-369-5410
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