The Company’s patent pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite technology represents a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery performance.
Ottawa, ON February 10, 2025 – Focus Graphite Inc. (“Focus” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: FMS; OTCQX: FCSMF; FSE: FKC), a Canadian critical minerals resource company developing innovative advanced battery materials and technology, is pleased to provide an update on the status of its patent applications for its proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite technology for lithium-ion battery anodes.
Patent Status by Region
- United States
The U.S. patent application (Patent No. 18/278,659) is currently pending. Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is awaiting from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Canada
The Canadian patent application (Patent No. 3,209,696) is pending. A formal request for examination has been submitted and Focus Graphite Advanced Materials has opted for an expedited review process to accelerate the commercialization of its technology.
- Europe
The European patent application (Patent No. 22758669.0) remains pending. The application is currently under examination by the European Patent Office (EPO).
- South Korea
The Korean patent application (Patent No. 10-2023-7032609 is pending.
Innovation Highlight
Focus Graphite Advanced Material’s patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite technology represents a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery performance. Unlike conventional approaches where silicon is coated onto the graphite sphere after spheroidization—resulting in a single silicon layer—Focus Graphite Advanced Material’s proprietary process incorporates multiple layers of silicon as the sphere is being created. This allows for significantly increased silicon content, which is crucial because silicon has 7 to 8 times the energy storage capacity of graphite.
This novel approach directly addresses two major challenges in silicon-enhanced anode materials:
– Charge-induced volume expansion: Conventional single-layer silicon coatings tend to swell during charging, leading to structural instability. By embedding silicon within the graphite layers, Focus Graphite Advanced Material’s technology mitigates this issue and provides superior mechanical integrity.
– Unreliable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) propagation: Silicon interacts with the electrolyte, causing performance degradation over time. The protective graphite layers in Focus Graphite Advanced Material’s technology reduce these reactions, enhancing battery longevity and efficiency.
Performance Testing and Next Steps
The technology has been successfully tested in coin cells, demonstrating increased battery performance. Galvanostatic charge/discharge curves for coin cells made with 4.5% silicon addition show that coating the SPG with carbon improves cycling stability and increases the reversible capacity from 392 to 462 mAh/g which is 24% higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite alone at 372 mAh/g.
Tests conducted on the 9% Si Enriched SPG showed that adding the silicon to the anode mix before spheroidization increases the capacity from 530 to605 mAh/g, which is an additional 13% boost in capacity, or an overall 62 % increase when compared with the theoretical capacity of graphite alone.
The next phase is to validate this technology through testing in a full-scale large commercial battery. If the results remain consistent and positive in this phase, Focus intends to license the technology to a 3rd party OEM or major battery manufacturers.
About the Inventor
Dr. Joseph Doninger, Focus Graphite Advanced Material’s Director of Technology and Manufacturing, is the driving force behind this invention. With decades of expertise, Dr. Doninger has authored over 27 technical papers and holds numerous patents in graphite processing and energy storage systems. His contributions to advancing graphite technologies have earned him international recognition as a leading expert in the field.
Further to its news release of February 5, 2025 Focus announces today that a finder’s fee of up to 7% cash and 7% finder’s warrants, exercisable for 24 months from the closing date at an exercise price of $0.20 (the “Finders Warrants”) may be paid by the Company on a portion of the previously announced private placement offering.
About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Inc. is an advanced materials company developing sustainable mining and technology innovations. At the heart of our operations is the Lac Knife flake graphite deposit, known for its exceptional high purity and grade—ideal for applications in the military, defense, and green energy revolutions. Currently advancing through Canada’s mine permitting process, Focus Graphite is on the verge of transforming this resource into a cornerstone for critical mineral supply.
Our proprietary, environmentally sustainable processing technologies ensure a green, chemical-free pathway from mine to market. The Company’s proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite patent technology is aimed at improving battery performance. We specialize in producing advanced, high-purity graphite materials tailored for diverse industries, including EV batteries, military applications, and high-tech manufacturing.
Focus Graphite’s commitment extends beyond resource extraction—we are actively building partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and government bodies to accelerate the commercialization of advanced materials and technologies derived from our flagship project. As a proud Canadian company, we are dedicated to contributing to North America’s secure and sustainable critical minerals supply chain.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit www.focusgraphite.com
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
T. +1-613-612-6060
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Company’s plans to advance its Lac Knife and Tétépisca projects through permitting, resource development, and commercialization efforts; the anticipated completion of an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Tétépisca; the potential for Lac Knife to become a key supplier of high-purity flake graphite; the Company’s ability to secure off-take agreements and strategic partnerships; the anticipated performance and scalability of the Company’s proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite technology; the expected benefits of its environmentally friendly purification process; and the Company’s positioning as a key player in securing North American critical mineral supply chains.
Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the Company’s ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals on anticipated timelines, the successful execution of exploration and development programs, the viability and scalability of its proprietary graphite processing technologies, the ability to attract commercial partners, and the continuation of favorable market conditions for graphite demand in energy storage, electric vehicles, and other advanced industrial applications.
Although forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions made by the Company’s management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to permitting and regulatory approvals; delays or challenges in the exploration, development, or commercialization of the Company’s projects and technologies; changes in graphite market demand and pricing; technological and operational challenges in scaling up proprietary processing technologies; financing risks; and the general risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
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