QuantumSphere, Inc. announced that the company has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a key patent application related to its advanced FeNIX nanocatalyst accelerator technology. The patent covers claims around the application of iron nanocatalysts, applied as a coating onto existing commercial ammonia catalysts, for increased catalytic activity and production efficiency in ammonia synthesis. Due to superior physical characteristics, including extremely high surface area, QuantumSphere's FeNIX iron nanocatalyst accelerator coating significantly increases catalytic activity, leading to improved production efficiencies by reducing energy costs or increasing production output.

The production of ammonia is an energy-intensive process that consumes approximately 5% of the world's natural gas supply. Commercial validation tests in early 2015 by QuantumSphere and a partner demonstrated a 10% to 15% increase in catalytic activity and production output – with no modifications to the ammonia production facilities. QuantumSphere is collaborating on initial commercialization of FeNIX with Casale, S.A. FeNIX commercialization is expected in the second half of 2016.