- Sparc Technologies (SPN) enters into a three-year partnership agreement with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to develop sustainable battery materials
- The companies will collaborate to develop functional materials using graphene and carbon material and related manufacturing process technologies for a range of applications
- Further, the partnership signifies a long-term commitment, affording Sparc the first right of refusal to commercialise technologies developed from projects it undertakes with QUT
- The parties have begun developing a novel process to produce hard carbon using low cost and sustainably-sourced green bio-waste targeting the sodium ion battery industry
- Shares in Sparc have ended the day 14.8 per cent in the green to close at 93 cents
Sparc Technologies (SPN) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to develop sustainable battery materials.
The agreement is for three years and will see the two parties collaborate to develop functional materials using graphene and carbon material and related manufacturing process technologies for a range of applications.
Further, the partnership signifies a long-term commitment, affording Sparc the first right of refusal to commercialise technologies developed from projects it undertakes with QUT.
Concurrent with the agreement, the parties have commenced a project developing a novel process for the production of hard carbon using low cost and sustainably-sourced green bio-waste targeting the sodium ion battery industry.
The project will take place at QUT’s facilities for battery development and testing, including the National Battery Testing Centre and Central Analytical Research Facility.
To assist with the commercialisation, Sparc has also engaged an experienced battery technology consultant to advise.
The company believes that a high-performing, low cost and sustainably sourced anode material for sodium ion batteries is meeting a need for an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
Also, the technology aims to provide an alternative western supply source thereby reducing sovereign risk for cell manufacturers.
“Using readily available, sustainable bio-waste material will provide Sparc with a strong environmental value proposition when compared with conventional sources of hard carbon,” Sparc Managing Director Mike Bartels said.
“In addition to enhanced safety for industrial scale energy storage, of great significance is the fact that the materials used in sodium ion batteries are accessible and not challenged in supply as is the case with lithium ion batteries.
“The Sustainable Hard Carbon Anode project complements existing knowledge and skills Sparc has developed through its graphene expertise and the extension of this into renewable energy technologies is a natural fit with Sparc’s photocatalytic green hydrogen project.”
Shares in Sparc ended the day 14.8 per cent in the green to close at 93 cents.