HPQ Silicon Affiliate Novacium Announces Its Gen 2 Advanced Silicon-Based Anode Material Delivers Superior Performance

• Preliminary testing results with Gen 2 material demonstrate a capability to improve performance by about 30% versus graphite benchmark and by 14% better versus Gen1 material ^[1].
• This improvement is achieved without noticeable first-cycle degradation ^[1].

MONTREAL, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in green engineering of silica and silicon-based materials is pleased to announce the latest battery milestones achieved by its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS ("Novacium").

This announcement highlights the remarkable results obtained during the first-cycle tests of 18650 industrial batteries made with Novacium’s non-optimized second generation of advanced silicon-based anode material. It also showcases Novacium’s capability to produce a blend of graphite and advanced silicon anode material that can be seamlessly integrated into existing anode manufacturing facilities to improve overall battery performance.

UNLOCKING ENHANCED BATTERY PERFORMANCE WITH SILICON DEPLOYMENT

Table showing various 18650 batteries manufactured using Novacium materials, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). It also showcases the progression in battery capacity from standard 100% graphite batteries to the world record for the 18650-battery model ^[2]

The above table illustrates the progression from the reference 100% graphite battery capacity, approximately 2,780 mAh, typical for commercially available batteries with graphite anodes. It demonstrates the capacity increase to around 3,150 mAh with our first generation of advanced silicon-based material. Finally, the results from batteries utilizing our second generation of advanced silicon-based material showcase a further increase of average capacity to 3,610 mAh ^[1], with best-in-class value of 3,835 mAh, representing about 30% improvement versus the graphite benchmark and over 14% improvement versus first-generation results. The table also highlights that the world record for 18650 battery capacity presently is at 4,095 mAh ^[3].

“Our results to date are a powerful indication of the rapid progress of our work and the commercial potential of the materials we are developing. However, we are not finished, with intent to continue improving our material so that our third generation of advanced silicon-based material continue to improve our 18650-battery performance, with the aim to crack the 4Ah mark very soon" stated Dr. Jed Kraiem Ph.D., COO of Novacium. "These results continue to underscore our ability to produce a blend of graphite and advanced engineered silicon anode material that can be seamlessly integrated into existing anode manufacturing facilities. This blend can be utilized worldwide without modification by battery manufacturers, significantly enhancing battery performance."