Canadian Government Invests in Elcora's Graphene Research and Development Centre
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2016 / Troy Grant, President and CEO of Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. (TSXV: ERA) (OTCQB: ECORF) (FSE: ELM), (the "Company" or "Elcora"), is pleased to announce that yesterday, July 20, 2016, Darrell Samson, Member of Parliament for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook, was in Bedford touring Elcora's new Graphene Research and Development (R&D) Centre. During his visit, MP Samson announced a $495,750 repayable contribution to the project through ACOA's Business Development Program (BDP). This support has assisted Elcora with purchasing equipment and completing renovations to its new R&D Centre, which is now up and running at full capacity. Funds are also being allocated to hire staff and conduct marketing activities.
Elcora will use its new R&D Centre to explore further applications of the raw material graphite, which is processed into graphene. Initially, the company is planning for small scale production of up to 100 kg of graphene per year. Current forecasts are to increase output to 10 tons per year within a few years. An integral component of Elcora's research and marketing will be working with application developers to use graphene in the commercialization of products.
The potential uses for graphene are virtually limitless, from bullet proof vests to water purification. Elcora is dedicated to electricity storage, specifically developing batteries for electric cars. That's why, on Wednesday, June 22, Elcora hosted the first North America stop of the 80eDays Electric Car Challenge. Eleven international race teams met at the new Graphene R&D Centre to be briefed on the route. This event helped to demonstrate that electric cars are a sustainable, reliable means of transportation. Elcora's scientists are dedicated to unlocking the full potential of graphene. They are creating a strong foundation of research to support new opportunities and discoveries that will help make Nova Scotia an international centre of interest for the development of graphene applications.
The Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic Provinces are committed to working together to build a vibrant economic future for Atlantic Canada. Through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, they are focusing efforts and resources to stimulate the region's economy and address both long standing and emerging regional challenges, and build on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem, and skilled workforce.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is making targeted investments to expand innovative research in Clean Technology. Organizations such as Elcora will help to drive economic growth and build on the strong foundation of scientific research in the region."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"Supporting clean technology projects such as this one will help to diversify our region's economy, open up new markets and create high-quality jobs for Atlantic Canadians. Exploring new applications of revolutionary materials like graphene will help to accelerate clean growth, and it will all be done right here in Bedford, Nova Scotia."
- Darrell Samson, Member of Parliament for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook
"Graphene is widely believed to be the next wonder substance that will have the ability to change mankind. The race is on to refine processing technology and to discover practical applications for this material. While the challenge is enormous, the rewards to be had by advancing this material commercially are even greater. This lab is at the forefront in that development and could not have happened without the support of these targeted investments by our elected officials."
- Troy Grant, President, Elcora Advanced Materials Corp.
Associated Links
- Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. Website
- 80eDays Electric Vehicle Challenge Website
- Atlantic Growth Strategy
About Elcora Advanced Materials
Elcora was founded in 2011 and has been structured to become a vertically integrated graphite & graphene company that mines, processes, refines graphite, and produces both the graphene and end user graphene applications. As part of the vertical integration strategy, Elcora has secured high-grade graphite and graphene precursor graphite from its interest in the operation of the Ragedara mine in Sri Lanka which is already in production. Elcora has developed a unique low cost effective processes to make high quality graphite and graphene that are commercially scalable. This combination means that Elcora has the tools and resources for graphite and graphene vertical integration.
Graphene is the basic building block of graphite, which is made of stacks of graphene layers. Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms that are bonded together in a repeating pattern of hexagons. The one atom thick graphene is one million times thinner than paper, so thin that it is considered two-dimensional.
Graphene's flat honeycomb pattern grants it many unusual characteristics. Graphene is stronger than diamond, about 100 times stronger than the strongest steel with equivalent thickness, with a tensile stiffness of 150,000,000 psi, and is the thinnest and strongest known material. This gives graphene many competing advantages in that it can be used as a textile to make wearable electronics or bulletproof vests. Graphene is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity like silicon; however, unlike silicon, graphene is highly flexible and conducts electricity much more efficiently. Since it is such a versatile material, the applications for graphene are limitless. Some examples of graphene applications are: ocean water purification systems, medical devices such as implants or pacemakers, construction materials, or coatings.
For further information please visit the company's website at http://www.elcoracorp.com.
For further information please contact: Troy Grant, Director, President and CEO, Elcora Resources Corp., T: 902 802-8847 F: 902 446-2001.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock Exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Elcora, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Elcora's expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Elcora with securities regulators.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.
SOURCE: Elcora Advanced Materials Corp..