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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP. | scy_8k.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS
RELEASE
TSX:
SCY
September
24, 2020
NR
20-08
www.scandiummining.com
SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL FILES PATENT APPLICATION FOR
USE
OF SCANDIUM IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Reno, Nevada, September 24, 2020 – Scandium
International Mining Corp.
(TSX:SCY) (“Scandium International” or the
“Company”) has filed a provisional patent
application with the US Patent Office seeking patent rights on
various applications of scandium in lithium ion batteries. The
patent application covers a number of scandium enhancements,
including doping potential for both anodes and cathodes, and for
solid electrolytes.
HIGHLIGHTS:
●
US
Patent Application filed for use of scandium in lithium ion battery
applications.
●
Scandium
doping applications are explained for anodes, cathodes and
electrolytes.
●
Scandium
offers conductivity advantages as a dopant, over other options,
and
●
Scandium
in other aluminum components offers numerous property improvements,
including conductivity, strength and corrosion
resistance.
DISCUSSION:
Rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are a staple of everyday
life. The search for improved performance through design and
materials advances is intense today. Considerable effort is being
expended in developing next-generation materials for LIBs that will
make batteries safer, lighter, more durable, faster to charge, more
powerful, and more cost-effective. A sampling of some of the more
public efforts are as follows:
●
Minimizing
or removing cobalt from cathode materials, based on cost, supply
and geographic sourcing issues.
●
Improving
the durability of liquid electrolytes with dopants, or substitution
with safer and higher performing liquid or solid electrolyte
systems.
●
Designing
for higher voltage potential by utilizing different anode or
cathode materials.
●
Determining
combinations of metals that can better withstand harsh internal
conditions.
Scandium, along with other specialty metals, has a clear role to
play in each of these areas.
One particularly promising area for scandium contributions is in a
lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) battery. The cathode in this
design substitutes manganese for cobalt, and supports a higher
nickel content as well. The substitution then delivers higher
working potentials (voltage), higher energy densities, and faster
charge/discharge rates, all of which offer the promise of improved
battery performance.
Delivering on that promise requires a number of improvements,
including employing a dopant for stabilization of the manganese in
the LNMO cathode, potential stabilization of lithium titanate (LTO)
anode materials as well, and use of dopants to improve the
conductivity of both these anode and cathode materials.
Conventional liquid electrolytes may see improved function and
longevity with the improved cathode and anode conductivity.
Scandium represents a suitable and effective dopant in each of
these applications.
Solid electrolytes represent another potential break-through
improvement in LIBs. They will handle higher voltages, higher
temperatures, greater power densities, are potentially easier to
package, and are considered safer in use. Scandium represents a
suitable and effective dopant in these applications, analogous to
the use of scandium to stabilize solid zirconia electrolytes in
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.
Lithium ion batteries employ aluminum in a number of areas,
specifically in cathode structure, current connectors, and in
general battery structure. Aluminum-scandium alloys represent
an enhanced aluminum alloy option, based on their
combination of conductivity and strength.
The intent of this SCY patent filing is to advise the battery
industry that scandium is a prospective dopant choice for enhanced
performance of LIBs, both under existing design parameters and in
particular for next-gen LNMO batteries. We want to ensure that
battery research and design groups consider scandium additions,
amongst their various materials choices, as they race to build a
better lithium ion battery.
The Company’s operating intent remains focused on producing a
scandium product, and advises that it considers the lithium ion
battery markets to be a viable application for use.
George Putnam, CEO of Scandium International Mining Corp.
commented:
“The quest to improve LIB battery performance is a global
research priority today. Doping-element solutions are one primary
focus of this research, seeking to realize the best results from
various multi-metal combinations. We believe scandium offers real
potential for contribution in this area, with an ability to bring
improvement to both new and existing battery configurations.
Scandium can deliver improvements either by acting as a stabilizing
agent with other elements, or delivering strength to aluminum
components, while in both cases maintaining or improving
conductivity.”
ABOUT SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP.
The
Company is focused on developing its Nyngan Scandium Project,
located in NSW, Australia, into the world’s first
scandium-only producing mine. The Company filed a NI 43-101
technical report in May 2016, titled
“Feasibility Study – Nyngan Scandium
Project”. The project has received all key approvals,
including a development consent and a mining lease, necessary to
proceed with project construction.
The
company is also currently soliciting copper industry interest in
using ion-exchange technology to extract unrecovered critical
metals from existing mine process streams. This program represents
a fast-track concept to make battery-grade nickel and cobalt
products, scandium master-alloy product, and other critical metals,
from North American sources.
Willem
Duyvesteyn, MSc, AIME, CIM, a Director and CTO of the Company, is a
qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and
approved the technical content of this press release on behalf of
the Company.
For inquiries to Scandium International Mining Corp, please
contact:
Edward
Dickinson (CFO)
Tel:
(775) 233-7328
George
Putnam (CEO)
Tel:
(925) 208-1775
Email:
info@scandiummining.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the
Company and its business. Forward looking statements are statements
that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to
statements regarding any future development of the project. The
forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to
various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the
Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from
those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These
risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation:
risks related to uncertainty in the demand for scandium, the
possibility that results of test work will not fulfill
expectations, or not realize the perceived market utilization and
potential of scandium sources that may be developed for sale by the
Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time
they are made, and other than as required by applicable securities
laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update its
forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or
expectations, or other circumstances, should change.