GMG’s Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery: Collaboration with World Leading USA Battery Innovation Centre and Next Steps Toward Commercialisation

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) (“GMG” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide the latest progress update on the Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery technology (“G+AI Battery“) being developed by GMG and the University of Queensland (“UQ“) under a Joint Development Agreement with Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest metals and mining groups.

Notably, this update includes information about GMG’s G+AI Battery regarding:

  • Scaling with the Battery Innovation Center of Indiana, United States.
  • Electrochemistry Optimisation
  • 1000 mAh Battery Cell Capacity Reached (Previously)
  • Battery Technology Readiness Level
  • Next Steps Toward Commercialisation and Market Applications
  • Next Generation Battery Performance
  • Important Milestones for GMG’s Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery Development

Scaling with the Battery Innovation Center of Indiana, United States.

GMG is pleased to announce that it has signed a service contract with the Battery Innovation Center of Indiana (“BIC”) in the United States of America to support the next phase of development of the Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery.

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Image 1

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BIC is a collaborative initiative designed to incorporate leadership from renowned universities, government agencies, and commercial enterprises. BIC is a public-private partnership and a not-for-profit organization focusing on the rapid development, testing and commercialization of safe, reliable and lightweight energy storage systems for defense and commercial customers. BIC is a unique organization that has been leading battery cell development for world leading battery companies for over 10 years and has carried out over 500 battery development projects.

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Image 2: BIC building in Indiana, USA

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BIC’s mission is to accelerate innovation in the field of battery technology by providing access to the entire spectrum of R&D to commercialization, including low volume production, in a single 40,000 square foot facility, located in Newberry, an hour south of Bloomington, Indiana. Under one roof and with virtual connections to the research and manufacturing facilities of its partners, BIC has capabilities in all aspects of the battery life cycle.

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Image 3: One of the BIC dry rooms including electrode coating equipment

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By collaborating with BIC, GMG can take advantage of BIC’s technological capabilities and manufacturing facilities and avoid the capital cost of building a pilot plant, that can cost more than AU$10 million dollars, to produce sample cells in advance of mass production. Under its service agreement with BIC, GMG will pay for services rendered and retain all intellectual property of the development work. The service agreement with BIC will enable GMG to optimize BIC’s cell design and battery manufacturing equipment during its scale up of battery production, thereby delaying capital expenditures for manufacturing capacity until battery development is further derisked.

GMG is very pleased to work with BIC on this next phase in the development of GMG’s next generation battery.

Electrochemistry Optimisation

The Company is currently optimising the G+AI Battery pouch cell electrochemistry – which is a standard battery development process step (please see Battery Technology Readiness Level section below).

The Company has developed significant knowledge regarding the electrochemistry of the pouch cells since achieving the targeted 1 Ah cell capacity in February 2024.

The challenges faced by the G+AI Battery during this phase of its maturation are very similar to other battery chemistries that have been developed into mass production – including Lithium-Ion batteries.

The performance of the pouch cells will be communicated upon successfully producing a repeatable and 3rd party tested 1000 mAh+ battery pouch cell.

The Company is confident it can meet its overall timeline on the battery cell roadmap as seen in Figure 1 and as previously communicated.

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Figure 1: Battery Cell Roadmap

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There are five steps in this optimisation process which the Company completes once per week in what it calls a “Sprint” as seen in Figure 2.

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Figure 2: Optimisation Weekly Sprint Process

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  1. Make Cell
    The major components of the G+AI Battery are seen below in Figure 3:
    Cathode: Graphene, binder and solvent (water or another solution) layered on a metal foil cathode substrate.
    Anode: Aluminium foil
    Electrolyte: Aluminium Chloride and ionic fluid (Urea or another solution)
    Separator: Separator
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Figure 3: Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery Components

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These are assembled in a standard step by step process – which is documented in the Company’s operation manual of procedures for the Battery Development Process.

There are many different variations that can be trialled in a cell design which can include, but are not limited to, the following as seen in Figure 4:

  • Anode foil types and thicknesses
  • Improving cycle life
  • Cell assembly processes
  • Processing of the graphene for the Cathode Slurry
  • Coating of the Cathode Slurry
  • Variations in the Electrolyte
  • Charging and Discharging algorithms
  • Optimise nominal voltage and capacity
  • Types of Separators (different materials, suppliers and thicknesses)
  • Optimising of the weight of the materials
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Figure 4: Cell Optimisation Variables

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Typically, 5 of each battery design is made which ensures a statistical depth to the testing.

A total of 250 individual scientific experiments in pouch cells and near 1000 individual pouch cells were made from 2023 till the present date. The basic modelling of the battery is complete and the Company is now working on dynamic modelling of the battery to support multi variant optimization analysis.

  1. Test Cell Performance
    Once the Cell Performance is measured (on the charging/discharging stacks) there are certain performance parameters that are observed which include, but are not limited to, the following:
    – Capacity (mAh)
    – Nominal Voltage (Volts)
    – Number of Charging and Discharging Cycles (number)
    – Physical expansion or contraction of the cell
    – Physical changes to the cell

This data is then recorded and linked to the cell design and assembly process used to make the cell.

  1. Compare Cell Performance
    The objective of this step is to understand what design and cell assembly parameters, in an isolated test, have a repeatable causal change in cell performance.

Each Sprint usually focuses on a single variable in design or cell assembly – an example of a 3-week Sprint program is seen in Figure 5.

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Figure 5: Sprint Program Example

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  1. Review Optimisation Options
    Upon reviewing optimisation options for the next Sprint, there are many parameters to consider. Often one design parameter of the cell or assembly process will positively improve one cell performance outcome but have a negative impact on another. As the Company optimises various performance outcomes of the battery cell – some of which are shown in Figure 6 – the Company needs to consider the various potential trade-offs on other performance outcomes.
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Figure 6: Battery Optimisation Process

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  1. Propose Next Cell Design (repeat Step 1 again)
    Once the Company has selected the design of the Cell parameters, it needs to test for optimisation. This involves repeating step 1 until a final design or variable is chosen.

Read more: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/96636/

GMG Provides Commercialisation Update on Energy Savings Coating THERMAL-XR(R)

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (“GMG” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide a business update on the commercialisation progress of THERMAL-XR® Powered by GMG Graphene.

GMG and Nu Calgon have signed an agreement with a consultant to prepare and submit a Pre-Manufacture Notice (PMN) for its USA Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval to import and sell in the USA, as previously announced in its THERMAL-XR® re-submission. The PMN application is expected to be submitted before the end of October and the potential approval is expected to take less than 12 months. The PMN will be substantially different from the Low Volume Exemption (LVE) PMN GMG previously submitted. The potential PMN EPA approval that GMG will be seeking is expected to be not limited by volume, application and any one particular sector, while the LVE PMN application was limited to 10 tonnes per annum, one application technique and the HVAC sector.

End-user Customer Engagement in the USA is ongoing with North America Distribution Partner Nu Calgon, which is known as the largest specialty chemical provider to the HVACR market in North America. Nu Calgon has a 37 person sales team with approximately 4000 distribution points. Nu Calgon’s Cool Worx Powered by GMG Graphene was introduced to the North American HVACR industry at the AHR Expo in January 2024. As previously announced, Thermal XR® provided a 36.7% reduction in energy when demonstrated on a 30 ton Aaon packaged rooftop air-conditioning system at the High School Gymnasium in Harlingen, Texas.

GMG continues to engage global Air Conditioning Manufacturers in China and the USA for THERMAL-XR® production coating trials. GMG is also working with a global Manufacturer of Trucks and Trains.

GMG is now working with a number of global manufacturing companies in various sectors which have passed product performance testing with THERMAL-XR® and are now working through processes to achieve optimal production line performance, with the aim to go into full production thereafter.

GMG’s Managing Director and CEO, Craig Nicol, commented: “The progress GMG is making with THERMAL-XR® is exciting. The various types of industries that are now trialling and in some cases ordering the product include after-market air conditioning, data centres, air conditioner manufacturers, truck and train manufacturers and industrial facilities such as LNG plants.”

GMG’s Chairman and Director, Jack Perkowski, commented: “THERMAL-XR® is an exciting prospect for the Company in many markets including for the China Air Conditioner Manufacturers. It is encouraging to see the Company gaining traction in this and other markets.”

About THERMAL-XR® powered by GMG Graphene:

THERMAL-XR® COATING SYSTEM is a unique method of improving the conductivity of corroded heat exchange surfaces and improving and maintaining the performance of new units at peak levels. The process coats and protects heat exchange surfaces while improving and rebuilding the lost corroded thermal conductivity and increasing the heat transfer rate by leveraging the physics of GMG Graphene, resulting in an efficiency improvement and a potential power reduction.

THERMAL-XR RESTORE® is powered by GMG GraphenePATENT PENDING

About GMG www.graphenemg.com

GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process. GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, ‘tuneable’ and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications.

The Company’s present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC-R”) coating (or energy-saving coating), lubricants and fluids.

In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries (“G+AI Batteries”).

GMG’s 4 critical business objectives are:

  1. Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes
  2. Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products
  3. Develop Next-Generation Battery
  4. Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability

For further information please contact:

  • Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223
  • Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends”, “expects” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or will “potentially” or “likely” occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, the potential for THERMAL-XR® to enable energy producers to produce additional energy more efficiently, the timing of submission of the Company’s PMN application, the receipt, timing and nature of approval by the EPA of the PMN application, the Company’s goal of achieving optimal production line performance for THERMAL-XR® and the entering of full production.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding the development of extensions and enhancements to the THERMAL-XR® portfolio into a wider range of applications, that energy producers will be able to derive the expected benefits from the Company’s products, that the Company’s PMN application will be submitted on the timetable anticipated, that the EPA will approve the PMN application and on the timing anticipated, that the content of the EPA’s approval will be as anticipated, and that the Company will be able to achieve optimal production line performance for THERMAL-XR® and enter full production. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that there will be no developments of extensions or enhancements to the THERMAL-XR® portfolio into a wider range of applications, that energy producers will not derive the expected benefits from the Company’s products, that the Company’s PMN application will not be submitted on the timetable anticipated or at all, that the EPA will not approve the PMN application on the timing anticipated or at all, that the content of the EPA’s approval will not be as anticipated, that the Company will be unable to achieve optimal production line performance for THERMAL-XR® or enter full production, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, the failure of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, attract and retain skilled personnel, unexpected development and production challenges, unanticipated costs and the risk factors set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated October 12, 2023 available for review on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

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