The partnership will develop prototypes of ultra-high-capacity batteries for a wide range of military applications.
MONTREAL, Canada — 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 inform its shareholders that its French-based subsidiary, NOVACIUM SAS (“Novacium”), has entered into a strategic collaboration with the French Army to develop high-capacity batteries utilizing Novacium’s silicon-based materials.
Novacium’s strategic collaboration with the French Army’s Technical Section (STAT) is part of its initiative to develop prototypes of ultra-high-capacity batteries for a wide range of military applications. These include surveillance systems, electronic sights, anti-drone systems, telecommunications, autonomous vehicles, and more. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to developing innovative technological solutions that address the operational needs of the French armed forces.
The new batteries, built with high-capacity 18650 cells, will comprise of Novacium’s advanced silicon-based anode material. This breakthrough material enables a capacity increase of over 30%, significantly extending the range of the batteries by a similar margin.
NOVACIUM MATERIALS: A CRUCIAL ADVANTAGE FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS
This significant increase in capacity addresses major challenges faced by the French and Western armed forces. With extended battery life, soldiers can reduce both the frequency of battery charging and the number of batteries they need to carry in the field, thereby lightening their load and improving mobility. These technological advances directly enhance mission effectiveness.
A PROMISING TECHNOLOGICAL COLLABORATION
“We are excited and proud to collaborate with STAT to demonstrate the potential of our silicon-based materials in critical applications, such as tactical communications,” said Dr. Jed Kraiem, Ph.D., COO of Novacium. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering sustainable, high-performance solutions to cutting-edge industries.”
The prototyping work will leverage Novacium’s unique expertise in advanced materials design, combined with STAT’s rigorous requirements. This collaboration lays the foundation for the eventual adoption of high-capacity silicon-based batteries by the armed forces for a variety of applications. The first prototypes are currently in production and will feature Novacium’s GEN3 cells, or potentially GEN4. Delivery to STAT is expected before the end of the first quarter of 2025, followed by an in-depth testing campaign conducted by the Armed Forces.
“This strategic collaboration with STAT marks an important first step toward the commercialization of our silicon-based anode materials. It exemplifies how our innovative battery solutions address the growing demand for higher-capacity Li-Ion batteries,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. “By advancing our proprietary processes through strategic agreements with key industry players like STAT, HPQ and NOVACIUM are positioning themselves as leaders and providers of next-generation energy solutions, aligned with the industry’s performance and sustainability goals.”
Transaction to acquire full ownership of the patent for the High-Throughput Fabrication of Silicon-Based Anode Materials, with no royalties or other obligations required.
HPQ Silicon announces that it has acquired all rights, title, and interest held by the inventors in the Patent and device for the continuous production of silicon suboxide for batteries, including the associated intellectual property and priority rights (refer to the October 22, 2024, release).
The company thus becomes the owner of the Patent, the intellectual property and the attached priority rights, free of any assignment or charge of any kind whatsoever.
This arm’s length acquisition will be completed in exchange for the issuance of 1,009,343083,333 units by the Company to be distributed among the inventors. Each unit consists of one (1) common share and one-half (1/2) warrant of the Company’s capital stock, priced at $0.24 per share for a total value of $260,000. Each whole warrant grants the holder the right to purchase one common share at $0.315 per share for a period of four years from the unit issuance date.
All shares issued as part of this transaction are subject to a mandatory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The transaction and unit issuance are subject to customary regulatory approvals, including approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
“Having full ownership of the patent for high-throughput manufacturing of silicon-based anode materials, with no royalties or other obligations, addresses a key question raised by potential technical and financial partners interested in our silicon-based anode materials,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc.
About NOVACIUM SAS
Novacium is an HPQ – affiliated company that started in Q3 2022. This green technology startup is based in Lyon, France and is a partnership with HPQ and three of France’s leading research engineers, Dr. Jed KRAIEM PhD, Novacium’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), Dr. Oleksiy NICHIPORUK PhD, Novacium’s Chief Technical Officer (“CTO”), and Dr. Julien DEGOULANGE PhD, Novacium’s Chief Innovation Officer (“CIO”). Novacium is a new Research and Development company which allows researchers to develop their own technology in high-added-value fields connected to renewable energy and allows HPQ Silicon Inc. a Canadian company, to expand the depth and reach of its technical team to help develop its silicon and new renewable energy projects.
HPQ Silicon is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer. With the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada and NOVACIUM SAS, the company is developing new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions.
