Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Quality electrode materials are a key factor in the development and production of leading-edge lithium ionx000D
batteries. Elcora is a vertically integrated graphite & graphene company. The company mines, processes, andx000D
refines graphite, and is targeting high-end graphite markets such as Li-ion batteries. Currently, Elcora processesx000D
and spheronizes graphite powder for the Li-ion anode market. The industry prefers spherically shaped graphitex000D
particles to achieve the highest battery performance.x000D
This work explores the optimization of Elcora's current spheronization process and trace contaminantx000D
minimization efforts. Through collaborative development of a high-speed microscopy method for rapidx000D
determination of particle shape characteristics, trace contaminant analysis, and systematic processx000D
modifications, this work intends to provide a measurable improvement in Elcora Advanced Materials divisionx000D
in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Key areas being explored are digital visual analytics suitable for high-flowx000D
microscopy applications with flow cell development capable of rotating particles within the flow field tox000D
elucidate information on their 3-D shape, as well as process optimization of spheronizing units used withinx000D
Elcora's operations.x000D
This initiative is intended to facilitate expansion efforts in Canada-based production of value-added products,x000D
and is anticipated to contribute to development plans for a commercial scale processing facility in Nova Scotia.