Alabama Graphite Finds Natural Graphene on its Coosa Property, in Alabama, USA
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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Mar 12, 2015) - Alabama Graphite Corp. ("Alabama Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ALP)(OTCQX:ABGPF)(FRANKFURT:1AG) (WKN: A1J35M) (ISIN# CA0102931080) is pleased to announce that it has found naturally occurring flake graphene at its Coosa Property in Alabama, USA. The graphene was obtained using an innovative and cost effective process, by Dr. Nitin Chopra of The University of Alabama under our sponsored research partnership.
Graphite is made up of multiple layers of graphene stacked on top of each other. Graphene is a single layer of two dimensional (2-D) carbon atoms. Graphene is valued because it exhibits superior electrical, optical, mechanical and thermal properties. It is not only the strongest material known (200 times stronger than steel), but is also one of the most flexible.
"We believe that the discovery of naturally occurring single and multi-layer graphene, on the Coosa Property opens a completely new and unique business dimension for the Company," stated Ron S. Roda, CEO of Alabama Graphite. "The biggest challenge today for commercial viability of graphene is cost. This presents a very exciting opportunity for our Company."
"In my opinion, emerging technologies using graphene could greatly benefit from a cost effective processing methodology, with the potential for improved economics and increased production levels relative to any of the current methods used to create synthetic graphene," commented Dr. Nitin Chopra. "The work done on the Company's material has the potential to enhance the process of producing scalable, nano-manufactured graphene and graphene-based derivatives."
Synthetic graphene is currently produced using a variety of expensive, tedious methods that do not lend themselves to large-scale production and are prone to produce defective graphene with uncontrolled flake size. Current synthetic methods for developing graphene include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), mechanical exfoliation, solution exfoliation, and chemo-mechanical methods. This implies higher costs including greater energy consumption, and extended manufacturing time.
The Company and Dr. Chopra continue to jointly develop methodologies to isolate graphene and graphene-based applications. Graphite flakes thinner than 100 nm are of significant interest because of their physical characteristics. Such thin graphite flakes ranging from one 2-D layer of carbon atoms (graphene) or multiple layers of 2-D carbon atoms stacked over each other (multi-layer graphene or graphite nanoplatelets) are of particular interest for developing advanced applications.
As shown in Figure 1 below, a moderately-sized (<5 um, top right inset) single crystal flake of graphene, from the Coosa Property, is observed with a clearly visible carbon atom arrangement at high resolution (bottom right inset in Figure 1A). These flakes demonstrated very high quality Raman spectral features (G-band intensities, Figure 1B) with the ratio of disordered carbon signature to graphitic carbon signature of around ~0.15±0.05 (ID/IG). In addition, electron transparent flakes (bi-layer and multi-layer graphene) were observed in the analyzed samples.
To view Figure 1 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ALP0312.pdf
Rick Keevil, P. Geo., a Director of the Company and VP of Project Development, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved the disclosure of the scientific or technical information concerning the Coosa Property contained in this press release.
About Alabama Graphite
Alabama Graphite Corp.'s mission is to become one of the greenest graphite producers in the world. The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Company Inc., is conducting exploration and development both at its flagship Coosa Graphite Project in Coosa County, Alabama, USA and the recently acquired Bama project in Chilton County, Alabama, USA. These two advanced-stage projects are 100% owned by Alabama Graphite and are on private land. The two projects encompass over 43,000 acres and are located in an area with significant historical production of crystalline flake graphite. The Company has the largest NI 43-101 indicated flake graphite resource in the United States based on drilling 0.18 square miles (0.3% of the total acreage). The Alabama deposits are unique in that a significant portion of the graphite-bearing material is oxidized and has been broken down into an extremely soft rock. Both projects have in place critical infrastructure, are within close proximity to transportation routes and enjoy a hospitable climate allowing for year-round production and delivery. For further information and updates on the Company, please visit www.alabamagraphite.com.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect Alabama Graphite Corp.'s current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Alabama Graphite Corp. with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of graphite; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. Forward-looking statements are also based on a number of assumptions, including that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed timeframes, that equipment necessary for exploration is available as scheduled and does not incur unforeseen breakdowns, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, and that laboratory and other related services are available and perform as contracted.
Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and Alabama Graphite Corp. undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements (unless required by law) if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
Alabama Graphite Corp. cautions that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions are not exhaustive. When relying on Alabama Graphite Corp. forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and assumptions and other uncertainties and potential events. Alabama Graphite Corp. has also assumed that the material factors and assumptions will not cause any forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.
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Contact
Alabama Graphite Corp.Ron S. RodaPresident & Chief Executive Officer(609) 785-1581rroda@alabamagraphite.comwww.alabamagraphite.comThe University of AlabamaDr. Nitin Chopra, Associate ProfessorMetallurgical and Materials Engineering(205) 348-4153nchopra@eng.ua.eduhttp://eng.ua.edu/people/nchopra/