MGX Minerals Inc (CSE:XMG) (OTCMKTS:MGXMF) reported Wednesday the latest advances in its work to develop high energy lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
The Vancouver-headquartered group revealed that its collaborative research partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) had successfully completed the etching process (cutting into the metal surface) to make silicon anode.
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The aim of the two-year program is to develop a low-cost and scalable method that will fabricate a silicon-based anode to improve the energy density of Li-ion batteries.
These interfaces will prove critical in achieving a "highly efficient, long-lasting silicon anode" that will aid in the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries, the firm said in a statement.
They are capable of quadrupling energy density from the current standard of around 200 watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), up to 400 Wh/kg, which could be used in long-range electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage, it added.
MGX has three silicon projects in southeastern British Columbia - Koot, Wonah and Gibraltar.
In addition to developing silicon interfaces, MGX and UBC are also carrying out process optimization on metallurgical grade silicon in a bid to use low-cost metallurgical-grade silicon as a feedstock to make the nanostructured silicon.
One-ton sample
A one-ton sample of quartzite from MGX's Gibraltar project has already been sent to an independent lab in Germany for analyses.
Independent lab Dorfner Anzaplan conducted X-ray diffraction analysis, chemical analyses through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, grain size distribution, mineral processing analysis, automated optical sorting and thermal stability testing.
Results indicated that the material, after reducing its size, is of high initial purity, making the fraction chemically suitable as medium quality feedstock material for metallurgical-grade silicon.
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