Grafite e grafene i materiali del futuro ?

[PIZZODIGINO]

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2015 18:23 Energizer Resources Inc. (TSX: EGZ) (OTCQX: ENZR) (WKN: A1CXW3) (“Energizer” or the “Company”) announces that it has received confirmation that an independent third party has successfully manufactured a graphite foil from the Company’s Molo flake graphite concentrate and that initial test results indicate it has met all specifications and quality requirements for specialty graphite foil applications.
Independent advanced testing was performed by a leading European manufacturer of carbon-based products, who is recognized as a global leader in the use of natural flake graphite for the production of graphite foils for smartphones and tablets, gasket materials in automotive, petroleum, chemical and nuclear industries, and conductive plates in fuel cells and vanadium redox batteries. Energizer is a under a non-disclosure and confidentially agreement with this manufacturer.
The purpose of these tests being conducted was to ascertain the potential for Energizer’s Molo deposit to be an alternative and sustainable natural source of flake graphite concentrate for the purpose of supplying the expandable graphite and specialty graphite foil applications market.
Energizer’s President and CEO Craig Scherba, P. Geo. stated, “We are pleased to receive a highly reputable, third-party validation that our Molo concentrate can produce a high-quality, expandable graphite product to manufacture a graphite foil for specialty applications. This positions Energizer well for yet another high demand market for flake graphite.”
Testing consisted of two separate 5 kilogram samples of +48 mesh (jumbo flake) Molo concentrate, grading 97% carbon, which was produced using a simple flotation process. It was then purified with standard methods to greater than 99.9% and then thermally expanded by the manufacturer and made into a foil.
Test results confirmed that the expansion volume of the Molo flake concentrate exceeded the current minimum performance standards of > 500 cc/g (< 2g/l) required by this manufacturer for its specialty products, while detecting no known impurities. While Energizer has received only positive results to date from other end-users who have tested for expanded graphite applications, the testing procedures undertaken by this specific manufacture is understood to be one of the most advanced of any end-market producer and is regarded as having the most stringent product quality and testing standards in the industry.
Results also confirmed that the minimum flake size required by this manufacturer for expandable graphite applications is +48 mesh (jumbo flake) and must be free of specific impurities. As confirmed by the Company’s Feasibility Study dated February 6th, 2015 titled ‘Molo Feasibility Study’, 23.6% of the flake from the Molo deposit would qualify as +48 mesh (jumbo size) variety.
Expandable graphite (foils) is the fastest growing market for flake graphite and represents approximately 10% of the global consumption of natural graphite. Expandable graphite in its foil form is used as a heat sink and sealant for consumer electronics, specifically in smartphones, tablets, laptop screens, flat panel televisions and solar panel arrays. Foils are also used in fuel cells, vanadium redox flow batteries, in seals and gaskets for the chemical and automotive industries, fire retardants, and many other products.
Next Steps
Based on these results, it has been confirmed that Energizer now qualifies to move to the next stage in the manufacturer’s product evaluation process, which is to provide a large bulk sample of concentrate for the purpose of conducting a full production run of graphite foil. Pending a successful production run test, the foil produced would be sent down to the party’s end-customers to be evaluated for use in their respective product applications.
Energizer is currently in discussions with this manufacturer regarding expected timelines and logistics regarding this next stage, including discussions on potential off-take agreements pending a successful trial.
Quick Facts
Only jumbo flake graphite (+48 mesh) can only be used to produce expanded graphite for foil applications.
Many flake deposits that do contain jumbo flake material do not meet the required expansion coefficient needed for foil applications (source: independent foil producers)
Approximately 40,000 tonnes per year of flake graphite (~10% of global output) is consumed globally in the manufacturing of expanded graphite for foils (source: Industrial Minerals Graphite Report)
Graphite foils act as a very effective disperser of heat (heat sink) and as a sealant. Every solar panel tablet, smartphone and flat-panel television contains a sheet of graphite foil to help keep your device cool and dust free. Not even 10 years ago, the use of graphite foils as a heat sink in consumer electronics was extremely small
The conductive plates in a fuel cell and vanadium redox battery are made up of numerous graphite foil sheets, stacked together.
Jumbo flake graphite at 94%-97%C (carbon) ranges between $1800-$2,000/tonne. Purified material at >99.9%C sells for approx. $3,000/tonne. (source: Industrial Minerals price database)
Mr. Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and CEO is the qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this press release.

 

[ganbendi]

COFFEE 30_10_15 ORE 17_17
GB
MADAGAMADA

Libero - Community Visualizza immagine

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Published: Wednesday, 11 November 2015 14:19 Energizer Resources Inc. (TSX: EGZ) (OTCQB: ENZR) (WKN: A1CXW3) (“Energizer” or the “Company”) announces that independent testing by various third-parties has confirmed that the flake graphite concentrates from the Company's Molo deposit meet or exceed quality requirements for all major end-markets for natural flake graphite, namely refractories, anode material for lithium-ion batteries and specialty graphite foils, also referred to as expandable graphite. Graphite from the Company’s Molo deposit has also been verified for graphene ink applications. This culmination of validations positions the Company well for current and future demand markets for flake graphite.
Testing of Molo’s flake concentrate was conducted across various flake sizes, ranging from -200 mesh (small and fine flake) to +48 mesh (jumbo flake) and included testing for, carbon purity, impurities and volatile matter (on a parts per million basis), moisture content, spheronization, expansion volume, degree of flake crystallinity and ash content,
Refractory
The Company received positive results across all testing parameters from five of the leading global refractory producers. In every case, the analysis and evaluation carried out by these respective producers did not detect any impurities in the concentrate or identification of any limitations on potential uses for Molo concentrate. The results also indicated that the bulk of concentrate required by these particular refractory producers is +100 mesh (medium flake), +80 mesh (large flake) and +48 mesh (jumbo flake). As stated in the Company’s Feasibility Study dated February 6th, 2015 titled ‘Molo Feasibility Study’,(the “Molo Feasibility Study”) 53.3% of the Molo deposit is classified as +100 mesh and larger.
Refractories remain the largest market for natural flake graphite, representing more than 50% of the approximate 400,000 tonnes of natural flake graphite that is consumed globally each year, with no known substitutes.
Spherical Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes
As stated in the Company’s August 27, 2015 news release, a prominent Japanese manufacturer of battery anode material and a leading European supplier of spherical graphite for electric vehicles successfully manufactured spherical graphite from the Company’s Molo flake graphite concentrate. Independent test results verified that the graphite concentrate from Molo met all specifications and quality requirements for lithium-ion battery anode material production.
After refractories, the battery market represents the 2nd largest market for natural flake graphite, representing approximately 20% of the global consumption of natural flake graphite. It also represents the largest potential growth sector for natural graphite with demand forecasted to grow at approximately 10% per annum based on demand forecasts of lithium-ion batteries, which is being driven mainly by mobile devices, tablets, power tools, consumer electronics and electric vehicles (EVs). (source: Avicenne Battery Report).
Lithium-ion batteries for EVs currently make up a relatively small percentage of lithium-ion battery sales by megawatt-hours worldwide. However, with the advent of EVs achieving greater (and potentially mass) penetration, lithium-ion batteries are poised to undergo significant growth and have the potential to be the largest off-take market for graphite by 2020. (source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence).
Specialty Graphite Foil (Expandable Graphite)
As stated in the Company’s October 29, 2015 news release, a leading European manufacturer of carbon-based products, who is recognized as a global leader in the use of natural flake graphite for the production, successfully manufactured a graphite foil from the Company’s Molo flake graphite concentrate. Independent initial test results verified that the graphite concentrate from Molo met all specifications and quality requirements for specialty graphite foil applications.
Results also indicated that the minimum flake size required by this manufacturer for expandable graphite applications is +48 mesh (jumbo flake) and must be free of specific impurities. As stated in the Molo Feasibility Study, 23.6% of the flake from the Molo deposit would qualify as +48 mesh (jumbo size) variety.
Expandable graphite (foils) is currently the fastest growing market for flake graphite and represents approximately 10% of the global consumption of natural graphite, with no known substitutes. Expandable graphite in its foil form is used as a heat sink and sealant for consumer electronics, specifically in smartphones, tablets, laptop screens, flat panel televisions and solar panel arrays. Foils are also used fire retardants, as seals and gaskets in the automotive, petroleum, chemical and nuclear industries and as conductive plates in fuel cells and vanadium redox batteries.
Graphene Applications
As stated in the Company’s July 23, 2015 news release, the Company’s Molo flake graphite passed initial testing by UK-based Haydale Graphene Industries PLC, a global leader in the processing and application of graphene nanomaterials. These results validated the Molo to be a viable source of graphene nanoplatelets for development of graphene inks for printed and flexible electronics.
Haydale successfully functionalized Molo flake graphite concentrate into graphene nanoplatelets, which were then used to successfully produce a prototype graphene ink. Initial test results were very positive, showing the Molo graphite concentrate had improved bulk density, particle size distribution, surface area and enhanced sheet resistivity when compared to conventional carbon inks.
Graphene is a single-atom-thick sheet of flake graphite and is the lightest, thinnest and strongest material ever discovered in addition to being chemically stable, flexible and extremely conductive. While the graphene industry is still nascent, it is poised to revolutionize numerous industries.
Mr. Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and CEO is the qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this press release.
Please see the Molo Feasibility Study for a discussion relating to the assumptions, parameters and methods used in connection with the technical disclosure in this press release.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

E' un periodo nero per le materie prime e la grafite non fa eccezione. Purtroppo io mi sono interessato alla grafite nel momento sbagliato.
Ora resta il dilemma se le aziende della grafite falliranno, o se ce la faranno ad andare avanti, anche con i prezzi della grafite ai minimi.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

[FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]

LOMIKO TECHNOLOGIES APPROVES SPIDERCHARGER™ PROTOTYPE FOR KICKSTARTER​

November 16, 2015 TSX-V: LMR​

Vancouver, B.C.​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]Lomiko Metals Inc[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]. (“Lomiko”) (TSX-V:LMR, OTC:LMRMF, FSEH8B) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]and its​

100% owned subsidiary Lomiko Technologies Inc. are pleased to announce that internal testing​

has confirmed the SPIDERCHARGER™ device is completely functional and ready for safety​

certification through Kickstarter funding.​

"Lomiko is firing on all cylinders. With favourable results at La Loutre Graphite Property,​

developments for our licensed products, Graphene 3D Lab acquiring a $ 1 Million USD revenue​

stream recently and Graphene ESD working with Stony Brook University, we are on the way to​

achieve our objectives under these projects," stated A. Paul Gill, CEO.​

Lomiko will being previewing the​

​

​

​

" SPIDER CHARGERtm" through Kickstarter to raise awareness​

of the product among retail and wholesale customers as well as distributors, and to raise a small​

amount for safety certification of the product.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

19 November 2015

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN) is pleased to announce the progress of ongoing programs related to global market and business development of high-purity Albany graphite for various applications.
Recently the Company received a new batch of purified graphite material produced at SGS Canada Inc. (‘SGS’) Lakefield site. This material, which graded 99.9% graphitic carbon, was delivered for testing to new interested parties who have recently signed non-disclosure agreements (‘NDA’) for the purpose of carrying on discussions and due diligence evaluations. Furthermore, the Company provided additional but larger product samples to end-users already under NDA that have initially tested smaller samples and found Albany material to be suitable for their particular application. Discussions are progressing well with continuous dialogue and meetings scheduled over the next few weeks and months.
This initial and further testing by potential customers is designed to qualify the Albany graphite material for the following applications: lithium ion batteries, fuel cells, powder metallurgy, nuclear and graphene.
Zenyatta disclosed in a news release dated 12 February 2015 that first testing has shown the performance of Albany graphite to be in the range of anode materials used presently for Lithium-ion Batteries (‘LIB’). Also, on 19 May 2015, Zenyatta released positive results from initial testing at the National Research Council (‘NRC’) of Albany graphite samples for use in powder metallurgy (‘PM’) applications. More recently the Company announced results showing the Albany graphite material may be suitable for fuel cells and the production of graphene.
Dr. Bharat Chahar, VP Market Development of Zenyatta stated, “The recent work has produced additional high-purity graphite material which has been sent to various potential customers for testing and evaluation. Test work completed to date has confirmed the Albany graphite to have a very good crystal structure (hexagonal) with a very desirable purity and particle size for various applications. The Company expects to continue to produce a graphite product on a test basis with strict specifications based on feedback from interested end users under signed confidentiality agreement.”
The world trend is to develop new and improved products for technological applications that need extraordinary performance using ultra-high purity graphite powder at an affordable cost. High purity and highly crystalline graphite material is gaining prominence in the clean-tech sector at a time when Zenyatta discovered an extremely rare volcanic-hosted, fluid derived graphite deposit. Analyses completed to date indicates that the Albany graphite deposit can be upgraded with very good crystallinity without the use of hydrofluoric acid and high temperature thermal treatment, therefore having an environmental advantage over other types of upgraded graphite material. Large multi-national corporations strive to protect their image (public profile) especially in this environmentally conscious age. They are positioned as environmentally responsible companies and must remain so in this extremely competitive world. If raw materials, like graphite, are sourced from environmentally damaging processes or jurisdictions, it could seriously harm the company brand.
Dr. Chahar further stated, “The Company’s plan is to develop an environmentally benign purification process for its (benign) deposit. Given the feedback from potential strategic partners in the cleantech sector, this is a critical consideration.”
Marketing of the Albany high purity graphite material throughout Asia, Europe and North America continues under the leadership of Dr. Bharat Chahar and Mr. Tadashi Yamashita. Tadashi Yamashita has the responsibility for advancing marketing of the rare Albany graphite material throughout Asia. Mr. Yamashita is based in Tokyo, Japan and works closely with Zenyatta’s VP Market Development, Dr. Bharat Chahar. Generally, interested corporations are looking for large tonnage (long-life), high quality resources capable of producing a superior and consistent product in a politically stable jurisdiction.
The attractiveness of the Albany deposit has led to interest from numerous global corporations and academic institutions requesting Zenyatta’s high purity graphite material for testing in their own labs. The Company has thus far signed in excess of 35 confidentiality agreements with these parties to allow for continued dialogue, potential collaboration and sharing of data, which management expects will lead to a mutually agreeable arrangement.
Zenyatta continues to develop the Albany graphite deposit located in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The Company’s graphite deposit is located 30 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, power line and natural gas pipeline near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. A rail line is located 70 km away with an all-weather road approximately 10 km from the graphite deposit.
The outlook for the global graphite market is very promising with demand growing rapidly from new applications. Graphite is now considered one of the more strategic elements by many leading industrial nations, particularly for its growing importance in high technology manufacturing and in the emerging "green" industries such as electric vehicle components. The application for graphitic material is constantly evolving due to its unique chemical, electrical and thermal properties. It maintains its stability and strength under temperatures in excess of 3,000°C and is very resistant to chemical corrosion. It is also one of the lightest of all reinforcing elements and has high natural lubricating abilities. Some of these key physical and chemical properties make it critical to modern industry.
The metallurgical test work is being performed under the supervision of Alex Mezei, M.Sc., P.Eng., Director, Engineering Technical Services at SGS Lakefield, independent consultant to Zenyatta, and Peter Wood, P.Eng., P.Geo., VP Exploration of Zenyatta. Peter Wood and Alex Mezei are the Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101 who supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release and they have reviewed and approved this news release. SGS performed analyses of all purified Albany graphite samples by direct ash analysis using a platinum crucible, according to a validated method that also accurately quantifies key trace level impurities by subsequent ICP analysis. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: The samples produced at SGS are experimental in nature and may differ slightly from batch to batch and may also differ from the final product in the future. However these samples are representative of the product that could be processed and provide a good initial assessment and guidance for the potential of Albany graphite for various applications. This testing does not represent a statistically large sample size. Furthermore, these positive results do not mean that Zenyatta can extract and process Albany graphite for applications on an economic basis. Without a formal independent feasibility study, there is no assurance that the operation will be economic.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Focus Graphite Reports Zero Loss in Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity in Long-term Cycling Performance Testing of its Lac Knife High Purity Coated Spherical Flake Graphite

Lac Knife High Purity Spherical Graphite Holds Potential to Extend Range in Lithium-Ion Cell Powered EVs​

OTTAWA – November 25, 2015 -- Focus Graphite Inc. (FMS: TSX-V; OTCQX: FCSMF; FSE: FKC) (“Focus” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce excellent results from independent laboratory tests conducted to compare the long term cycling performance of Lac Knife surface coated spherical crystalline fine flake graphite with two commercial grades of coated crystalline flake graphite in the anodes of CR2016 coin cells.

The results presented are a follow up from data presented in Focus’ February 26, 2015 news release where similar tests were run on “as-is” minus 200 mesh fines of Lac Knife graphite which also showed to have excellent long term cycling performance.

Testing was conducted at a globally recognized laboratory in Europe. The name of the laboratory is being withheld because of commercial and competitive confidentiality.

Highlights:
Coin cell tests run on purified uncoated and coated standard grades of Lac Knife spherical graphite (SPG) showed that both grades exhibited essentially no loss in capacity up to the limit of the tests of 110 cycles
Coin cell tests run under the same formulation and conditions showed that the two commercial grades of coated flake graphite exhibited capacity losses of 4.35% and 6.43% up to the limit of the tests of 110 cycles.
Focus Graphite is the sole owner of the high purity Lac Knife natural flake graphite project in the Côte-Nord region of northeastern Québec.

The Company’s aim is to become one of the lowest cost producers of high-purity technology graphite. The purpose of its ongoing battery materials testing efforts is to validate the commercial viability of the high purity crystalline flake graphite recovered from its Lac Knife deposit, and to demonstrate that Lac Knife graphite holds the potential to improve the performance of anodes in Lithium Ion batteries. (See May 27th, 2014 and February 26th, 2015 News Releases).

The properties of the flake graphite recovered from the Lac Knife high quality and high carbon content graphite deposit, allow for the recovery of concentrate that grades 98% C even in the finer size fractions down to 200 mesh (75 microns) that are usually the most difficult products to sell. This holds the potential for Focus to create a high-margin business opportunity by providing customers with a finer grade, lower cost, value-added graphite product.

The Company’s material testing program is supervised by Dr. Joseph E. Doninger, Focus’ Director of Manufacturing and Technology, and a global expert in graphite processing and product development.

“Of particular note is that these new results showing that the Lac Knife graphite exhibits excellent long-term stability, adds to the results reported in our February 2015 news release,” said Dr. Doninger.

“That previous data,” he said, “presented Lac Knife’s graphite as exhibiting very high reversible capacities and very low first cycle capacity losses.

“Combined, these improved properties would make Lac Knife graphite an excellent replacement for both the synthetic and natural flake graphites currently being used in the manufacture of Lithium-Ion batteries,” said Dr. Doninger.
Battery manufacturers require a cost competitive alternative to current sources of synthetic and natural flake graphite. China produces the majority of the world’s purified SPG, using methods generally regarded as environmentally unsustainable.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Focus Graphite’s Project Development Continues with Achievements in Battery Testing; Run of Mine Process Testing; Customer Analyses of High Purity Graphite; Offtake Discussions, and; Mine and Plant Financing Discussions


Dear Shareholders and Friends,

On November 17, 2015, the Government of Quebec revealed that overall mining investment in the province in 2014 declined 35% to $3 billion with an anticipated further decline of 8.2% in 2015.

Quebec, considered to be one of the world’s best mining jurisdictions, exemplifies current global market conditions and stands as an economic barometer as commodity producers tread water in anticipation of demand recovery.

Against that unflattering investment backdrop, Focus’ management continues to advance efforts on a number of key development activities necessary to bring our Lac Knife graphite project to production.

Advancing Offtake Discussions

With three offtake agreements in hand to date, we are engaged in ongoing materials testing discussions with some 30 potential customers as we continue our own internal tests of Lac Knife Run of Mine concentrates to meet specific customer needs.

Different grades of concentrate recovered during pilot plant tests conducted at SGS Labs in 2013 are being upgraded so that we can continue to supply potential customers with larger samples of graphite for application in a variety of markets including thermal management, energy, automotive and other sectors.

And, we have increased our capabilities to produce large samples of thermally purified Lac Knife graphite samples while we continue to improve our spheronization and carbon coating techniques.

Excellent Results from Battery Testing

On November 25, 2015, we published initial testing results from our long-term battery cycling performance testing. They showed there was zero capacity loss after more than 100 cycles of a lithium-ion battery coin cell – the standard for laboratory testing.

To the best of our knowledge, we are unaware of any competitor or graphite processor achieving similar results.

Highlights of the tests included:
Coin cell tests run on purified uncoated and coated standard grades of Lac Knife spherical graphite (SPG) showed that both grades exhibited essentially no loss in capacity up to the limit of the tests of 110 cycles
Coin cell tests run under the same formulation and conditions showed that the two commercial grades of coated flake graphite exhibited capacity losses of 4.35% and 6.43% up to the limit of the tests of 110 cycles.
According to Dr. Joseph Doninger, our Director of Manufacturing and Technology, who supervised the testing, himself, a global expert in graphite processing and product development, said the data suggests the excellent long-term stability achieved using Lac Knife graphite in Lithium-Ion batteries should ultimately result in an increase in the range of electric vehicles before they have to be re-charged.

A more robust longer-term testing program is being planned for 2016.

The news release is available on our website at www.focusgraphite.com

Meanwhile, we continue to meet our scientific obligations that require us to provide potential customers with detailed technical analyses of materials produced from pilot plant samples and from our purified battery grade graphites for their evaluation.

Focus Graphite-Grafoid Offtakes

On September 25, 2015, Focus was pleased to announce the signing of definitive agreements with Grafoid Inc. for two significant Lac Knife graphite offtakes.

The “Graphene Offtake” is intended to supply Grafoid’s needs for a range of next-generation graphene-based automotive batteries, batteries for consumer electronics, and energy storage applications.

Focus estimates that the Company could record approximately US$17.2 million in revenue under the first 10-year term of the agreement, if fully exercised.

The second and larger “Polymer Offtake” agreement is intended to supply Grafoid’s needs for a range of graphite-based polymer applications for the automotive and aerospace industries.

This particular area of commercial application development holds considerable promise for Focus and Grafoid, as OEMs are looking for lighter and stronger composite materials to replace expensive carbon fiber that ultimately reduce cost, increase fuel savings and build longer life into those components used in transportation industries.

A patented graphite-polymer process was developed by Grafoid’s wholly owned subsidiary, Graflow Inc., in partnership with Rutgers University’s AMIPP Advanced Polymer Center.

We estimate the Company could record approximately US$385.4 million in revenue under the first 10-year term of the agreement, if fully exercised.

Carbon Reinforced Plastics

The timing of the Polymer Offtake is supported by market research provided by Lux Research, an independent and reputable market research group.

Their report, entitled, Scaling Up Carbon Fiber: Roadmap to Automotive Adoption, claims carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are on the verge of garnering widespread adoption for automotive “lightweighting” over the next decade, driven largely by faster-than-expected technology development.

“Current trends strongly indicate significant mainstream automotive adoption of CFRPs in the mid-2020s, and companies throughout the value chain must position themselves to take advantage of the coming shifts,” report author Anthony Vicari said.

“However, long-term mega-trends towards urbanization, connectivity and automation suggest that there could be a limited time window beyond that for penetrating the automotive space.”

The information contained in the report bodes well for both companies. The trickle down benefit for Focus resides with Grafoid’s unique, value-added graphite-polymer process.

Grafoid has assumed an early position with various automotive manufacturers for the development of next generation graphite-polymer components.

That process liberates small quantities of graphene that both strengthen and lighten the weight of the polymer applications. The estimated total value of the carbon polymer market in 2014 was approximately $15 billion.

Financing & Project Permitting

Those offtake agreements underscore Lac Knife Project’s development mission, in particular, our immediate goal of meeting our mine and concentrator financing needs of some $165 million.

While we have identified or committed a significant portion of our debt requirement we continue with our discussions on finalizing funding for the equity portion.

Those discussions include the potential sale of Grafoid shares currently held by Focus. Focus remains the largest single shareholder in Grafoid Inc. holding 7,800,000 Grafoid common shares valued at US$39 million.

Under the terms of the two above mentioned offtake agreements, Focus is committed to divest between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 common shares, the proceeds from which will be applied to ongoing development costs of the Lac Knife Project.

Our administrative mine development efforts also remain on track. We are currently at the analysis phase of the permitting process for the mine site and concentrator facilities with provincial authorities.

Essentially, this is when the government asks for details regarding the project that is presented within the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

The project is ready to start the detailed engineering phase, and follows the filing of both the Lac Knife Mineral Project Feasibility Study and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in 2014.

Our Strategy

Our immediate goals are to bridge the gap between preparedness and future market needs, and; to be as ready-as-possible to meet the return of market-driven demand.

Focus Graphite continues to advance it’s regulatory mine development, line-up its financial partners, and engage its potential customers.

An active strategy of waiting is what is required now. Market moves by major green economy players will propel the critical material producers. The key is to be patient and ready.

Sincerely,

Gary Economo
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

[FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]

LOMIKO'S GRAPHENE 3D LAB INTRODUCES REVOLUTIONARY GRAPHENE FLEX FOAM WITH​

APPLICATIONS IN WEARABLE ELECTRONICS​

Vancouver, B.C.​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]Lomiko Metals Inc[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Bold][FONT=Calibri,Bold]. (“Lomiko”) (TSX-V:LMR, OTC:LMRMF, FSEH8B) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]is​

pleased to announce that Graphene 3D Lab Inc. (TSXV: GGG) ("​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Graphene 3D has released​

the revolutionary new commercial product 'Graphene Flex Foam', a Multilayer Freestanding​

Flexible Graphene Foam. This material is a combination of highly conductive threedimensional​

Chemical Vapor Disposition ("CVD") ultra-light graphene foam and conductive​

elastomer composite.​

"We have the ability to manufacture Graphene Flex Foam in basically any shape or size, but​

it is the flexibility of the product which we believe will capture the attention of innovative​

manufacturers who will want to evaluate the potential of commercializing this material into​

their products." stated Elena Polyakova, Co-CEO of Graphene 3D. "Any company interested​

in a freestanding, stable, ultralight, highly conductive material that can flex with their product​

and fit into any space, will be interested in this innovation."​

This revolutionary product preserves all the remarkable properties of graphene foam such as​

superior electrical, with an added remarkable flexibility and ease of handling in an extremely​

lightweight and highly porous architecture.​

"Graphene Flex Foam is an excellent substrate candidate in the manufacture of electrodes of​

lithium-ion batteries." said Daniel Stolyarov, Co-CEO of Graphene 3D. "Wearable electronics​

is an obvious application as the electronics, sensors and conductive properties will all need​

to be flexible with the wearable material. "We also believe that this innovative product has a​

bright future for the next generation of flexible batteries and supercapacitors. Graphene Flex​

Foam offers energy storage as well as catalyst support in numerous organic synthesis​

reactions, gas sensors, flexible and ultrasonic acoustic device fabrication."​

The product will be available through Graphene Supermarket(r), an e-commerce site​

operated by Graphene Laboratories. Graphene 3D is currently acquiring Graphene​

Laboratories as a wholly-owned subsidiary (see new release dated August 24, 2015).

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Zenyatta Ventures & Ballard Power Systems Make Significant Progress Using Albany Graphite in Fuel Cell Technology

Thunder Bay, ON
7 December 2015

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN and Ballard Power Systems Inc. (“Ballard”) (TSX: BLD; Nasdaq: BLDP) ) are pleased to provide a progress report utilizing high purity Albany graphite in the membrane electrode assembly (“MEA”) of a fuel cell. The MEA, which includes the gas diffusion layer (“GDL”), is a critical component of a Proton Exchange Membrane (“PEM”) fuel cell that must meet exacting performance standards for the fuel cell to perform properly.
Ballard recently prototyped GDLs with Albany graphite samples provided by Zenyatta. Ballard also made GDLs with benchmark (synthetic) graphite material currently in use today. Both GDLs were constructed using Ballard’s proprietary process to ensure a fair comparison. To date, all the properties of the GDL sample made with Zenyatta graphite were essentially identical to those of the benchmark GDL in all the functional tests that have been completed.
Bharat Chahar, VP Market Development, Zenyatta noted that, “These comparative test results continue to prove out the suitability of Albany graphite in demanding applications where exacting performance standards must be met for critical components. The fuel cell end-users need thousands of hours of trouble free operations during which the components of fuel cell stacks are exposed to a highly corrosive environment. We are extremely pleased to see the progress Ballard is making in proving the viability of Albany graphite in this demanding application. It is important to note that the material being tested by Ballard was ‘run-of-the-lab’ Albany graphite material produced with no special processing or customization for these tests.”
The GDL samples made by Ballard will be incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and will be tested in a fuel cell stack to characterize baseline fuel cell performance. This will further test the viability of Albany graphite in realistic fuel cell operating environments.
Dr. Rajesh Bashyam, Senior Research Scientist, R&D for Ballard commented, “This is another significant step in the process of qualifying Zenyatta’s Albany graphite for existing fuel cell markets such as back-up power and materials handling. We are extremely pleased to be working with a new graphite material that may potentially give Ballard Power Systems a competitive advantage in the area of fuel cell sub-components.”
In a news release dated 12 August 2015, Zenyatta announced testing results by Ballard that samples of Albany graphite demonstrated high thermal and corrosion resistance properties. This screening process on Albany graphite material confirmed its suitability for use in the bipolar plate (“BPP”) and gas diffusion layer (“GDL”) for fuel cells. High thermal stability and corrosion resistance is critical in the performance of these components in fuel cells. For further information please refer to this news release and the Company website www.zenyatta.ca.