NEO Battery Materials Ltd. (TSX-V:NBM) announced that a new patent has been filed for its proprietary process of manufacturing silicon (Si) anode active materials.
The company said the patent will extend the protection related to the Si nanocoating process by the single-step, one-pot solution process, which was originally developed by NEO.
This applied patent joins a family of related patents already issued and applied for the unique and cost-effective process by NEO's one-pot process. To date, the company retains five patents on the Si nanocoating process.
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"We are excited to announce this patent as this is the first patent that has been filed and originated under the name of NEO Battery Materials Ltd,” said NEO CEO Spencer Huh in a statement.
“As our Si anode material is gaining further traction and interest, we recognize expanding and strengthening the IP portfolio is imperative. This week, we have initiated another NDA with a multi-billion-dollar South Korean battery material manufacturer for a potential cooperative development, and we are currently on schedule to commercialize our silicon anode materials."
The company noted that conventional approaches to mitigate volume expansion problems of Si anode material are not cost-effective and scalable due to the process complexity and high material input costs.
For instance, vacuum processes like chemical vapor deposition (CVD) need special precursor materials, which result in low-production throughput. Diverse forms of nanostructured Si materials have been thoroughly developed, but their respective mass-production capability remains questionable due to cost.
NEO said the newly applied patent will provide coverage for a novel method for a more uniform formation of the SEI layer and stabilization of lithium-ion battery Si anodes. Si anode by the technology is under sample testing by EV/battery material manufacturers to confirm its applicability in typical electric vehicle batteries.
Spencer added: "At NEO, we are working to maximize our shareholders' value through continual technical developments with our proprietary Si anode materials, potential strategic partnerships and joint development agreements, and IP portfolio expansion. In a couple of weeks, we will provide updates on the commercial viability and scalability of our Si anode materials through the pilot plant construction and design study.”
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