Grafoid and Focus Graphite Announce Submission of Provisional Patent Application for Advanced Anode Material Comprising Spheroidal Silicon Enhanced Graphite Particles
Website: www.grafoid.com
Grafoid and Focus Graphite Announce Submission of Provisional Patent Application
for Advanced Anode Material Comprising Spheroidal Silicon Enhanced Graphite
Particles
• Submission reinforces Grafoid’s status as an industry-leading R&D Company that produces
economically scalable graphene for use in development applications by leading corporations
and institutions worldwide.
KINGSTON, ONTARIO, March 1, 2021 – Grafoid Inc. (“GRAFOID”) and Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (the
“Company” or “ Focus Graphite ”), jointly announced today the submission of a Provisional Patent
Application titled: “Advanced Anode Material Comprising Spheroidal Silicon Enhanced Graphite Particles
And Process For Making Same”. The present invention pertains to the field of electrode materials and in
particular to processes for making materials for use as a new generati on of lithium -ion battery anode
material.
Due to the limitations of using silicon alone in battery anodes, adding silicon (Si) to graphite to increase
the theoretical capacity limit in lithium-ion batteries has been gaining intellectual traction. There remains
a need for a highly controllable process for the efficient incorporation of silicon into a graphite matrix to
provide spheroidal Si-enhanced graphite particles that are suitable for use as advanced anode materials.
“The submission of this important provisional patent application is validation of Grafoid’s and Focus
Graphite’s commitment to innovation and represents an important industry milestone,” said Dr. Joseph
Doninger, Director of Technology and Manufacturing at Focus Graphite. “We are very pro ud of this
important milestone and the future product benefits that will be derived from this new lithium-ion battery
anode material , in particular to the manufacturers of electric vehicles for increasing battery life and
power.”
For anode material to be considered battery-worthy, practical active material loadings on the anode
should be on the order of 10 to 12 mg/cm 2 (or higher). In an embodiment of the invention, the anodes
comprised of silicon-enhanced spheroidal graphite have active material loadings falling in the range from
6.2 to 16.2 mg/cm 2. The formation of spheroidal particles is beneficial to provide maximum packing
density in the formation of the lithium ion battery anode materials, which will maximize both the Specific
Energy (Wh/kg) and Energy Density (Wh/L) of a full battery cell level.
Qualified Person
Dr. Joseph Doninger, Focus Graphite's Director of Technology and Manufacturing is the Qualified Person
under National Instrument 43 -101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects - has reviewed and
approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Doninger is an internationally recognized graphite
processing expert and himself, the inventor of a number of patents and an author of over 27 technical
papers and presentations related to graphite processing and the use of graphite in energy storage
systems. Dr. Doninger is a co-editor on the NATO Science Series book titled "New Carbon Based Materials
for Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems". Dr. Doninger is als o an Honorary Professor at the
Department of Chemistry from the Kiev National University of Technologies and Design.
In addition, Focus Graphite announced the grant of 30,000,000 incentive stock options to its directors,
officers, employees, and consultant s. The o ptions are to purchase up to 30,000,000 Common Shares of
the Company at an exercise price of $0.13 per share and expire on February 25, 2026.
Overview of Grafoid Inc.
Founded in 2011, Grafoid Inc. is a graphene research, development and investment company that invests
in, manages and develops markets for processes that produce economically scalable graphene for use in
graphene development applications by leading corpora tions and institutions. Grafoid’s leading
investment produces application friendly, minimal -defect, high -energy density few layer graphene,
utilizing a safe, non- destructive extraction process, leaving the lowest possible ecological footprint. The
completely unique, proprietary process results in what Grafoid regards as a new global standard for
economically scalable, high-purity graphene products —that can be tailored to both industrial and
commercial applications.
For more information about Grafoid, please visit www.grafoid.com.
About Focus Graphite
Focus Graphite Inc. is an advanced exploration company with an objective of producing flake graphite
concentrate at its wholly owned Lac Knife flake graphite deposit located 27 km south of Fermont, Québec.
In a second stage, to meet Quebec stakeholder interests of transformation within the province and to add
shareholder value. Focus is evaluating the feasibility of producing value added graphite products including
battery-grade spherical graphite.
Focus Graphite is a technology -oriented graphite development company with a vision for building long -
term, sustainable shareholder value. Focus also holds a significant equity position in graphene applications
developer Grafoid Inc.
For more information about Focus Graphite, please visit www.focusgraphite.com.
Forward Looking Information
This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements, including with out
limitation, the closing of the Offerings, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, and the Company's
ability to obtain necessary approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange. All statements included herein,
other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves
various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate,
and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. A
Website: www.grafoid.com
description of assumptions used to develop such forward -looking information and a description of risk
factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward -looking information can be found
in Focus Graphite's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The Company does
not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities
laws.
Neither 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.
Investor Contacts:
Scott Anderson
Investor Relations
(858) 229-7063
Grafoid Inc. and Focus Graphite
Judith Mazvihwa-MacLean
CFO
(613) 581-4040