In electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the anode serves as a critical component, acting as a storage vessel for lithium ions that are then released when the battery is being used to power the car. 

Graphite anodes, the current market dominators, have reached their peak energy density. This limitation is prompting a shift toward Silicon-based anodes, which offer up to 10 times the energy density. 

Major players like Porsche, Mercedes, and GM are embracing this technology, recognizing its potential to revolutionize EV performance. 

But while silicon-based anode materials hold great promise for batteries, they are known to suffer from significant degradation during charging and discharging cycles. Solving this problem will open up a market for silicon anode materials that could reach $130B by 2033.

ENTER HPQ SILICON INC. (TSX-V: HPQ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) 

HPQ Silicon is positioning itself to become a key supplier of Silicon materials in battery anodes, which aligns with the US and Canadian government initiatives to establish domestic battery manufacturing ecosystems in an effort to reduce reliance on China. 

Novacium, HPQ's France-based affiliate, has acquired patents enhancing anode material performance, particularly in silicon-based Li-ion batteries. With the pressing demand for domestic battery material suppliers, HPQ Silicon's advancements in silicon-based anode material position it as a crucial player in meeting the evolving needs of the electric vehicle industry while addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.

OVERALL CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT OF ~30% VS. GRAPHITE BENCHMARK

HPQ announced remarkable results from the initial 50-cycle tests of GEN2 material. These tests demonstrated a 30% improvement in capacity compared to graphite benchmarks and a 14% enhancement over their GEN1 materials, positioning the company at the forefront of the battery innovation race.

MINIMAL DEGRADATION

The GEN2 material displayed minimal cycle degradation, with only about a 1% increase over 50 cycles, indicating robust durability.

STRATEGIC VISION

The results underscore HPQ’s strategic vision to become a leading manufacturer of advanced silicon-based anode materials in North America and Europe.

TRANSFORMING BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

The tests, conducted on 18650 industrial batteries, revealed the following:

• Capacity Comparison: Batteries with 100% graphite showed an average capacity of 2,775 mAh, while those with GEN1 and GEN2 materials exhibited 3,174 mAh and 3,379 mAh respectively.
• Durability Insights: Over the 50 cycles, GEN2 materials not only maintained superior capacity but also demonstrated negligible degradation, ensuring longer battery life.

Dr. Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium, emphasized the practical implications of these results, stating, 

“These results continue to showcase our ability to produce a blend of graphite and advanced silicon anode material that can be seamlessly integrated into existing anode manufacturing facilities, improving overall battery performance.”

Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc., noted, 

“These achievements open new doors for HPQ as we strive to become a manufacturer of next-gen engineered silicon-based anode materials in jurisdictions that support these types of initiatives.”

As HPQ Silicon Inc. and Novacium continue to push the boundaries of battery technology, their GEN2 anode materials mark a critical step forward. This breakthrough not only highlights HPQ's innovative capabilities but also underscores its potential for significant market impact.