GEN3 lithium-ion batteries with silicon anode outperform graphite batteries by 40% without degradation after 50 cycles

• After 50 cycles, 18650 batteries with GEN3 silicon-based material show a capacity increase of 40% over graphite, 25% over GEN1 and 15% over GEN2 without any noticeable degradation. ⁽¹⁾.

MONTREAL, Aug. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in environmentally friendly development of silica and silicon-based materials, is pleased to announce the latest significant battery milestones achieved by its France-based subsidiary NOVACIUM SAS (“Novacium”).

This announcement includes the results of 50 charge-discharge cycle tests conducted to simulate real-world use and evaluate the durability and longevity of the latest batch of lithium-ion 18650 commercial batteries made from a blend of graphite and Novacium’s partially optimized advanced silicon-based GEN3 anode material. The 18650 GEN3-based batteries performed remarkably well, achieving an overall capacity improvement of approximately 40% compared to a graphite benchmark.

It should be noted that this performance is 25% higher than the previous GEN1 material and 15% higher than the GEN2 material, with the performance degradation compared to the graphite benchmark being so small that it is within the margin of error.

“Manufacture of 18650 battery cells that achieve excellent results in charge-discharge cycle tests and exceed 4,000 mAh under maximum discharge conditions (July 30, 2024, publication) confirms our position as a leading manufacturer of advanced silicon anode material,” said Dr. Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium“Based on these results and the data we have collected, we are confident that we can continue to improve our material and that GEN4-based 18650 batteries could exceed the 4,400 mAh mark.”

Improving battery performance with silicon-based anode materials

Graph 1) The blue line shows the average capacity of 100% graphite batteries, the orange line the average capacity of GEN1 batteries and the green line the average capacity of GEN2 batteries, over 150 charge-discharge cycle tests ⁽¹⁾ while the yellow line shows the average capacity of GEN3 batteries over 50 charge-discharge cycles ⁽¹⁾All values ​​are given in milliampere hours (mAh).

Diagram 1 shows that batteries made from Novacium GEN3 materials had significantly higher capacities in the first 50 cycles than batteries made from GEN2 and GEN1 materials, as well as the comparison batteries made from 100% graphite.

The average capacity of three 18650 batteries made of Novacium GEN3 materials (yellow line) started at 3,883.0 mAh and dropped to 3,864.8 mAh by the 50th cycle. In comparison, batteries made of Novacium GEN2 materials (green line) started at 3,370.1 mAh and dropped to 3,356.0 mAh, while batteries made of GEN1 materials (orange line) started at 3,145.5 mAh and dropped to 3,105.4 mAh. Finally, the average capacity of three 18650 batteries made of 100% graphite (blue line) started at 2,780.0 mAh and dropped to 2,769.1 mAh by the 50th cycle.

The story continues

Therefore, after 50 cycles, silicon-based GEN3 batteries exhibit an overall capacity improvement of approximately 40% compared to the graphite benchmark, 25% compared to the GEN1 material, and 15% compared to the GEN2 material.

Silicon-based anode materials deliver graphite-like battery degradation results after 50 cycles

Graph 2) The blue line shows the relative capacity of 100% graphite batteries, the orange line shows the relative capacity of GEN1 batteries, and the green line shows the relative capacity of GEN2 batteries over 150 cycles. ⁽¹⁾. While the yellow line shows the relative capacity of GEN 3 batteries over 50 cycles ⁽¹⁾.

Figure 2 shows that the performance degradation for advanced silicon GEN3 material is minimal over 50 cycles, with a retention of 99.59% compared to the graphite benchmark of 99.61%. This difference is within the error tolerance of the test protocol.

“Achieving these results with full-scale 18650 industrial batteries at 50 cycles once again demonstrates Novacium’s ability to produce advanced silicon anode material that significantly improves overall battery performance and integrates seamlessly into existing anode production facilities,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. “This seamless integration means manufacturers can adopt this advanced silicon anode material without the need for expensive retooling or process overhauls. It provides a smoother transition, reduces downtime and minimizes additional costs, ultimately accelerating the introduction of high-performance batteries to the market.”

Reference sources

About NOVACIUM SAS

Novacium is an HPQ affiliate founded in Q3 2022. This green technology startup is based in Lyon, France and is a partnership with HPQ and three of France’s leading research engineers, Dr. Jed KRAIEM PhD, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of Novacium, Dr. Oleksiy NICHIPORUK PhD, Chief Technical Officer (“CTO”) of Novacium, and Dr. Julien DEGOULANGE PhD, Chief Innovation Officer (“CIO”) of Novacium. Novacium is a new R&D company that enables researchers to develop their own technology in high-value areas related to renewable energy and enables HPQ Silicon Inc., a Canadian company, to expand the depth and reach of its technical team to help develop its silicon and new renewable energy projects.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based Tier 1 Industrial Issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.

HPQ develops with the support of first-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS, new environmentally friendly processes that are crucial to producing the critical materials needed to achieve net zero emissions.

HPQ activities focus on the following four (4) pillars:

For more information, see HPQ Silicon website.

Disclaimer:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may,” “plans,” “will,” “estimates,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “in process” and other similar expressions that constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products in the marketplace, our strategy for developing new products and enhancing the capabilities of existing products, our strategy regarding research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the development of new products and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s ongoing filings with securities regulatory authorities, such filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.
For further information please contact:
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271
Patrick Levasseur, Director Tel: +1 (514) 262-9239
E-mail: [email protected]

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