Posted by AGORACOM
at 9:49 AM on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019
Estimates point to 2022 as equilibrium between Electric and Combustible Sales
Graphite anode demand is set to increase from 194,160 tonnes in 2017 to 1,080,360 tonnes by 2023 and 1,747,800 tonnes by 2028
Automakers are taking action to put millions of electric vehicles on the road
Quebec and B.C Governments dedicated to “Green Economyâ€
Lomiko Metals Inc. has been keenly watching the lithium-ion battery market in anticipation of identifying an opportunity to participate in the supply of materials for electric vehicles with its La Loutre graphite project located in Quebec, Canada. Lomiko is focused on advancing the La Loutre graphite property and is looking to deliver an NI 43-101 graphite resource based on the success of its recently completed drilling campaign at the Refractory Zone. This will add to the previously announced 43-101 graphite resource at the adjacent Graphene-Battery zone announced March, 2016.
A. Paul Gill, CEO states, “Lomiko believes that it is in an ideal position to participate in the burgeoning Electric Vehicle market, with the potential to become a North American supplier of graphite materials, a market currently dominated by foreign supply from China. Graphite is a major and critical material in the manufacture of lithium-ion and other batteries, specifically battery anodesâ€.
According to Benchmark Minerals, graphite anode demand is set
to increase from 194,160 tonnes in 2017 to 1,080,360 tonnes by 2023 and
1,747,800 tonnes by 2028. [Source: INN Graphite Investing News] On
February 4, 2019, Simon Moores of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
raised supply and demand concerns in a submission to the US Senate
which was echoed by Energy and Natural Resource Committee Chair Senator
Lisa Murkowski in a February 5, 2019 News Release: “In contrast to the
energy sector, our nation is headed in the wrong direction on mineral
imports. This is our Achilles’ heel that serves to empower and enrich
other nations, while costing us jobs and international
competitiveness,†Murkowski said. Lomiko brought this crucial
opportunity to the attention of shareholders in a February 8, 2019.
Recent
announcements and cooperation agreements on electric vehicle and
self-driving cars between Ford and Volkswagen indicates automakers are
taking action to put millions of electric vehicles on the road. Raw
material demand for graphite, lithium and nickel sourced from North
American is likely to increase as a result. Ford
said its battery electric vehicle rollout will start in 2020 with a
performance utility, and it plans to launch 16 battery electric vehicles
by 2022.
In other positive developments,
Quebec Premier Francois Legault reiterated his commitment to make the
Province the ‘Green Battery’ of North America through investments in
electric buses and trams while British Columbia Premier John Horgan aims
to eliminate all gas-powered cars by 2040.
For more information on Lomiko Metals, review the website at www.lomiko.com, contact A. Paul Gill at 604-729-5312 or email: [email protected].
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 7:37 AM on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019
Announced the launch of a new same-day delivery service for customers in the Greater Toronto Area.
Spyder customers in the Greater Toronto Area now have the option, for a nominal fee, of choosing guaranteed same-day delivery for vapes and cannabis accessories on orders placed before 2pm.
Vaughan, Ontario–(August 14, 2019) – Â Spyder Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: SPDR) (“Spyder“), an established Canadian cannabis and vape retail operator, announces the launch of a new same-day delivery service for customers in the Greater Toronto Area.
Spyder customers in the Greater Toronto Area now have the option, for
a nominal fee, of choosing guaranteed same-day delivery for vapes and
cannabis accessories on orders placed before 2pm.
“Our decision to launch our same-day delivery service in the GTA is a
clear example of our customer-centric approach. We are committed to
providing our customers with the highest quality products and the most
convenient and personalized service available, “said Dan Pelchovitz,
President and CEO of Spyder Cannabis. “We believe that our same-day
delivery service will give Spyder a significant competitive advantage in
the vapes and cannabis accessory market. We hope to expand the same-day
delivery service to other major Canadian centers in the near future,”
added Dan.
About Spyder Cannabis
Founded in 2014 Spyder is an established chain of three high-end vape
stores, and two cannabis accessory stores, in Ontario, with locations
in Woodbridge, Scarborough, Burlington, Pickering and Niagara Falls. The
Spyder brand is defined by its high-quality proprietary line of
e-juice, liquids and exclusive retail deals, dispensed in uniquely
designed stores creating the optimal customer experience. Spyder is
building off this leading retail, distribution and branding eCig and
vapes company and is pursuing expansion into the legal cannabis and hemp
derived market. Spyder has developed a scalable retail model with plans
to create a significant footprint with targeted and disciplined retail
distribution strategy focusing on Canadian retail and U.S. boutique
retail and kiosks in high traffic peripheral areas
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
For more information, please contact:
Spyder Cannabis Inc. Dan Pelchovitz President & Chief Executive Officer Contact: Investor Relations Phone: 1-888-504-SPDR (1-888-504-7737) Email: [email protected]
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release includes statements containing certain
“forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking
statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”,
“continue”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”,
“estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar
words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will”
occur..
These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used
in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the
forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking
statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the
date the statements are made. Any number of risks and uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019
Highlights:
4,299 patient visits generated revenue of $591,024, compared to 2,187 patient visits that generated $312,485 for Q2 2018.
Strategic redirection:Â The Company has been re-positioning its overall strategy to become a vertically integrated health and wellness brand that connects to its 165,000 patients using a data driven focus to improve patients’ lives with products, technology and health systems.
VANCOUVER, Aug. 14, 2019 – EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE: CBDT) (Frankfurt 8EC) (OTC: EPWCF) (“Empower” or the “Company“), a vertically integrated and growth-oriented CBD life sciences company, and a multi-state operator of medical health & wellness clinics in the U.S., has filed today its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30th, 2019 and related management’s discussion and analysis, both of which are available at www.SEDAR.com. All financial information in this press release is reported in United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
“The impact of cost cutting measures and the benefit of the Sun
Valley acquisition are now showing up in the financial statements of the
Company” said Steven McAuley, Empower’s Chairman &
CEO. “Even though we can only book two months of Sun Valley’s
performance in 2Q, the significance is notable, and we expect continued
benefits going forward, especially with the new retail product strategy
in-clinics and with the franchise program.”
Q2 2019 Highlights
4,299 patient visits generated revenue of $591,024, compared to 2,187 patient visits that generated $312,485 for Q2 2018.
Net loss of $1,456,505, compared to $3,915,443
for Q2 2018, which was primarily driven by significantly reducing
operating costs through aggressive headcount cuts, facility changes and
lower stock-based compensation expense.
Cash used in operating activities was $1,331,950 for YTD 2019, compared to $2,358,949 for YTD 2018.
Cash at June 30, 2019 of $817,168, compared to $157,668 at December 31, 2018, which was primarily driven by equity financings during the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Recent Highlights
Strategic redirection: The Company has been
re-positioning its overall strategy to become a vertically integrated
health and wellness brand that connects to its 165,000 patients using a
data driven focus to improve patients’ lives with products, technology
and health systems.
Strengthened Management Team: In January 2019, seasoned entrepreneur and executive officer and former GE Capital Managing Director Steven McAuley
was appointed as Empower’s Chairman & CEO. The Empower management
team has since been augmented with critical hires made from the ranks of
investment banking, accounting, marketing and clinic operations among
other disciplines. CFO Mat Lee, appointed on March 19, 2019,
is an experienced accounting and finance executive. To further support
financial and accounting restructuring, the Company engaged the services
of Invictus Accounting Group, a top-tier boutique advisory firm based
in Vancouver, BC.
Experienced and Seasoned Board of Directors: The Company Board of Directors includes its CEO Steven McAuley, Dustin Klein,
the Co-Founder of Sun Valley Clinics and the SVP, Business Development
and Andrejs Bunkse, owner and practicing attorney of Rain Legal and
Counsel to numerous cannabis enterprises in the U.S. and Canada.
Strategic Acquisition: On May 1, 2019, the
Company completed the acquisition of Sun Valley Certification Clinics
Holdings LLC (“Sun Valley”) from Andrea Klein and Dustin Klein and two
minority shareholders, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Empower
Healthcare Assets Inc., for consideration having an aggregate value
of $3,960,000. Sun Valley operates a network of professional medical
cannabis and pain management practices, with five clinics in Arizona,
one clinic in Las Vegas, a tele-medicine platform serving California,
and a fully developed franchise business model for domestic and
international markets.
Strategic Development: The Company has opened its first hemp-derived CBD extraction facility in greater Portland, Oregon
with the first extraction system expected to have the capacity to
produce 6,000 kg of extracted product per year. The Company took
possession of the new extraction facility June 1st, 2019
and has recently been awarded it’s hemp-handlers licence from the Oregon
Department of Agriculture, allowing the Company to enter the next phase
of build-out and full operations in 2019.
2019 Outlook and Catalysts
Enhanced Corporate Governance: The Company has prioritized corporate governance practices under the leadership of its Board of Directors and Chairman Steven McAuley, to ensure financial and accounting controls operate at the highest of standards.
Improved Capital Markets Profile: Empower is
diversifying its business model to become a vertically integrated
operator in the global cannabis sector with a focus on patient care, CBD
product distribution, research & development and CBD product
extraction. The Company believes this will appeal to a broader base of
shareholders and investors and provide greater access to capital and
improved trading liquidity.
Increased Patient Access: With a rapidly expanding
company-owned clinic network and significant expansion opportunity
through the Sun Valley Health franchise model, Empower anticipates it
will grow its total patient list substantially in the years ahead. This
is expected to provide greater opportunity for treatment analysis using
artificial intelligence (AI), through progressive initiatives that
include adding the Endocanna DNA test kit to the Company product &
service offering in clinics and online. Ensuring the Company is a leader
in understanding the efficacy of cannabis-related treatment options is
an imperative.
Focus on CBD Product Sales: The Company has launched
its online store to sell its lines of hemp-derived CBD based products
and premium health & wellness supplements. Customers can purchase
products, including CBD lotions, tinctures, spectrum oils, capsules,
lozenges, patches, e-drinks, topical lotions, gel caps, hemp extract
drops and pet-elixir hemp extract drops. Patients and customers will be
able to access Sun Valley Health customer service, home delivery and
e-commerce platforms.
Market Leading Technology: Empower utilizes
market-leading patient electronic management and POS system that is
HIPAA compliant and provides deep insight to patient care. The Company
supports remote patients using its tele-medicine portal, enabling
patients who do not live near one of its clinic locations, or are
disabled or unable to come to a location, to still benefit from a doctor
consultation.
Launches Nationwide Franchise: The Company has launched
its nationwide franchise program under the Sun Valley Health brand to
dramatically grow our clinic & store footprint increasing direct
access to patients and to sell hemp-derived CBD products and premium
wellness products directly to our customers and online at our new
e-commerce store at www.sunvalleyhealth.com
Opens CBD Extraction Facility: The Company has opened its first hemp-derived CBD extraction facility near Portland, OR
in a region that is surrounded by numerous licensed hemp farms, that
has the potential to produce 6,000kg of extraction distillate or isolate
to serve the Company’s own CBD product lines and other third party
processing contracts.
Financial Summary
$, except where noted
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
2019
2018
2019
2018
Patient visits
4,299
2,187
5,497
4,429
Clinic Revenues
591,024
312,485
743,869
614,627
Direct Clinic Expenses
(82,750)
(107,271)
(122,163)
(212,436)
Loss from operations
(1,424,070)
(2,703,891)
(1,703,379)
(3,311,426)
Net loss
(1,456,505)
(3,915,443)
(1,855,047)
(3,754,191)
Net loss per share
(0.01)
(0.06)
(0.02)
(0.08)
Financial Performance
Clinic revenues for Q2 2019 were $591,024, compared to Q2 2018 revenues of $312,485. This increase over the prior year is attributable to the acquisition of Sun Valley Clinics effective May 1, 2019,
and includes two months of accretive revenue. Future results will
include a full three months of results of Sun Valley in quarters going
forward.
Direct clinic expenses for Q2 2019 were $82,750, compared to Q2 2018 direct clinic expenses of $107,271.
These expenses declined despite the increase in revenues due to
improved operational controls to align labor cost with direct patient
consultations. The Company employs a diverse mix of physicians and
practitioners.
Net loss from operations for Q2 2019 was $1,424,070, compared to Q2 2018 net loss of $2,703,891.
This decrease in loss below prior year is primarily attributable to two
factors. Operating expense decreased due to a decrease in salaries and
benefits as a result of aggressive headcount cuts and facility changes.
Additionally, share-based payments decreased due to timing of
share-based awards to management.
Net loss for Q2 2019 was $1,456,505, respectively, compared to Q2 2018 net loss of $3,915,443.
This decrease over prior year is primarily attributable to the decrease
in operating expenses and share-based compensation expense. In
addition, Q2 2018 included listing fees associated with the RTO.
During Q2 2019, the Company used $1,331,950 in cash from operations after changes in non-cash working capital. The Company invested $543,573 for the acquisition of Sun Valley Clinics and raised $2,576,907 via proceeds from various issuances of shares, convertible debentures and notes.
Please refer to the Company’s unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements, related notes and accompanying
management discussion and analysis for a full review of the operations.
ABOUT EMPOWER
Empower is a vertically integrated and growth-oriented CBD life
sciences company, and a multi-state operator of medical health &
wellness clinics, operating the Sun Valley Health clinic brand www.sunvalleyhealth.com, for its nine corporate locations and for franchises in the United States.
As a CBD product manufacturer under the Sollievo brand, the Company
distributes its lines through clinics, online and through retail
partners. Extraction operations are currently being developed in the
Company’s new extraction facility in Oregon.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven McAuley Chief Executive Officer
DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements”
or “forward-looking information” (collectively “forward looking
statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and
projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements
can frequently be identified by words such as “plans”, “continues”,
“expects”, “projects”, “intends”, “believes”, “anticipates”,
“estimates”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar
words, or information that certain events or conditions “may” or “will”
occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include
statements regarding; the Company’s intention to open a hemp-based CBD
extraction facility, the expected benefits to the Company and its
shareholders as a result of the proposed acquisitions and partnerships;
the terms of the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; the
effectiveness of the extraction technology; the expected benefits for
Empower’s patient base and customers; the benefits of CBD based
products; the effect of the approval of the Farm Bill; the growth of the
Company’s patient list and that the Company will be positioned to be a
market-leading service provider for complex patient requirements in 2019
and beyond. Such statements are only projections, are based on
assumptions known to management at this time, and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or
developments to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, including; that the Company may not open a
hemp-based CBD extraction facility; that the hemp-based CBD extraction
facility may not be fully operational in 2019 if at all; that
legislative changes may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business
and product development; that the Company may not be able to obtain
adequate financing to pursue its business plan; general business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; failure to
obtain any necessary approvals in connection with the proposed
acquisitions and partnerships; and other factors beyond the Company’s
control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by
the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what
benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this release,
which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any
intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking
statements in this release, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable
laws.
CONTACTS: Investors: Steve Low, Boom Capital Markets, [email protected], 647-620-5101; Investors: Steven McAuley, CEO, [email protected], 604-789-2146; For French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc., E: [email protected], T: (888) 585-MARICopyright CNW Group 2019
Tags: Cannabis, CSE, Hemp, Marijuana, stocks, tsx, tsx-v, weed Posted in All Recent Posts, Empower Clinics Inc. | Comments Off on Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca Reports 2Q 2019 Results Highlighted by an 89% increase in clinic revenues and a 37% decrease in operating expenses compared to 2Q 2018 $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:44 PM on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
SPONSOR:Â Bougainville Ventures Inc (CSE: BOG) provides strategic capital to the thriving cannabis cultivation sector through ownership and development of commercial real estate properties. The company also offers fully built out turnkey facilities equipped with state-of-the-art growing infrastructure to cannabis growers and processors. Click here for more info.
—————–
As demand for CBD explodes, US farmers are seeing dollar signs
According to new data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), US farmers more than quadrupled the land planted with hemp in the past year, from 27,424 acres in August 2018 to 128,320 acres today.
In addition to the booming demand for CBD, hemp farmers were likely encouraged by the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed industrial hemp—defined as hemp plants with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight—and its extracts from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
According to new data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA),
US farmers more than quadrupled the land planted with hemp in the past
year, from 27,424 acres in August 2018 to 128,320 acres today.
In addition to the booming demand for CBD, hemp farmers were likely encouraged by the 2018 Farm Bill,
which removed industrial hemp—defined as hemp plants with less than
0.3% THC by dry weight—and its extracts from Schedule I of the
Controlled Substances Act, where it might have been interpreted as
marijuana, which the US Drug Enforcement Administration states has “no
currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse†(despite evidence to the contrary).
While hemp is far from the only crop appearing on more acres this year, it’s clearly smoking the competition.
“There are a lot of things you can do on a farm, but there aren’t a
lot of things you can do to make money,†Will Brownlow, a Kentucky
farmer who had recently started growing hemp, told Quartz in 2018.
He said an acre of soybeans could only get him about $500, but an acre
of hemp—dense with flowers rich in CBD—could yield as much as $30,000.
What’s more, he said, it was relatively easy to cultivate.
“The plant is a weed,†Brownlow said. “And it likes to grow.â€
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 3:16 PM on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
SPONSOR: Esports Entertainment
$GMBL Esports audience is 350M, growing to 590M, Esports wagering is
projected at $23 BILLION by 2020. The company has launched VIE.gg
esports betting platform and has accelerated affiliate marketing
agreements with 190 Esports teams. Click here for more information
GMBL: OTCQB
———————–
Esports is about to become a $1 billion industry, and Asia is at the heart of its wild growth
The electronic sports sector has grown massively in recent years and is expected to turn into a billion-dollar industry by the end of 2019.
CNBC’s Uptin Saiidi visited an annual gaming festival in Hong Kong where tens of thousands of excited fans eagerly watch players compete for the ultimate title.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 11:08 AM on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
Identified spherical graphite production as a key waypoint in plans to supply graphite anodes for Electric Vehicles (EVs) Li-ion battery megafactories
“We are at the beginning of the battery materials bull market with 91 Lithium-ion mega-factories built or to be built worldwide.
(Vancouver, British-Columbia) August 13, 2019– Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSX-V: LMR, OTC: LMRMF, FSE: DH8C)(Lomiko or the “Companyâ€) has identified spherical graphite production as a key waypoint in plans to supply graphite anodes for Electric Vehicles (EVs) Li-ion battery megafactories in the North American market discussed in a July 16th, 2019 release. Testing for spherical graphite is to be included in a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) which is planned for the La Loutre graphite project located in Quebec, Canada. The development of a strategy that identifies a way to create value-added products is necessary to establish a long-term, profitable business model prior to extensive capital outlay is crucial to the success of the company.
A.
Paul Gill, CEO states, “We are at the beginning of the battery
materials bull market with 91 Lithium-ion mega-factories built or to be
built worldwide. However, potential North
American Suppliers of graphite materials are facing investor skepticism
because graphite materials coming from African mines such as Syrah
Resources are satisfying Chinese graphite anode demand at present. Lomiko
sees an opportunity in creating a stable and integrated North American
value chain for North American EV manufacturers to African graphite or
Chinese anodes which are susceptible to political strife or trade wars.â€
Graphite Sector Analysis
The
price for 95% C (purity), 15 microns Spherical Graphite is $2,700-2,800
USD/tonne, far above the price of other forms of graphite as indicated
by the Industrial Minerals. Lomiko’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) will include costs and the potential market for this key product. In
order to start the PEA, Lomiko must first deliver its second resource
prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 Regulations from La Loutre.
Industrial
Minerals indicates China imported 21,486 tonnes of flake graphite in
June 2019, 14,864 tonnes came from Mozambique, accounting for 70% of
total Chinese imports. The principal source of
graphite flake in Mozambique is Syrah Resources, which primarily
produces 94% C, -100 mesh material. Increased exports from Mozambique
has weighed on the market since Syrah began commercial production at the
start of this year. June’s import volumes into China were the highest
since at least January 2017.
In
the first half of this year, China imported 105,462 tonnes of flake
graphite in response to the healthy development of the lithium-ion anode
industry in China.
At
least half of total imported flake graphite was used in the anode
industry, with the refractory sector the second largest consumer,
according to market sources.
The
use of large flake graphite as a refractory (heat-resistant) material
began before 1900 with the graphite crucible used to hold molten metal.
In the mid-1980s, the carbon-magnesite brick became important, and a bit
later alumina-graphite material. Graphite blocks are also used in parts of blast furnace linings where the high thermal conductivity of the graphite is critical.
Graphite electrodes are another long-term market for natural flake graphite. Graphite
conductors which release electric energy in the form of an electric
arc, are used to heat and melt the steel scraps in an electric arc
furnace. They are currently the only products with high electrical
conductivity and are able to maintain extremely high heat generation in
this demanding environment. With the growing demand for quality steel in
the aerospace, automotive and electronics industries, graphite
electrodes are also becoming increasingly popular.
For more information on Lomiko Metals, review the website at www.lomiko.com, contact A. Paul Gill at 604-729-5312 or email: [email protected].
On Behalf of the Board,
“A. Paul Gillâ€
Chief Executive Officer
We
seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:45 AM on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
Spyder Cannabis (SPDR:TSXV) went public just a couple of months ago and hit the ground running with 5 operating Canadian retail locations – and a 6th one on the way via an 8,000 sq ft super store in Alberta.  Most companies would be ecstatic to have this number of locations – but Spyder just announced a major move into the United States, with a 5 location deal for boutique stores up and down the US Eastern seaboard. The news gets better. If all goes well with these 5 locations, the US outlet partner has a total of 39 locations across 20 states for Spyder to grow into to.
Spyder Cannabis may have just gone public but they are making big moves into the highly coveted retail space for marijuana, CBD and Hemp products, including carrying their own brands within their stores.
Grab your favourite cold summer beverage and watch this interview with CEO, Dan Pelchovitz.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:59 AM on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
SPONSOR: Labrador Gold – Two successful gold explorers lead the way in the Labrador gold rush targeting the under-explored gold potential of the province. Exploration has already outlined district scale gold on two projects, including over a 40km strike length of the Florence Lake greenstone belt, one of two greenstone belts covered by the Hopedale Project. Click Here for More Info
At all-time highs in six of the world’s top currencies
Gold is up 25% in sterling; 22% in the yuan; 21.5% in euros; 19.7% in Australian dollars; 18% in rupee; 13% in Canadian dollars and 12% in Japanese yen
The
charts posted immediately below tell one of the quiet, but perhaps most
important stories unfolding in the world of high international finance.
Gold has appreciated sharply in the currencies of all of the world’s
top economies. In five of the top eight economies – the United Kingdom,
Japan, Canada, Australia, and India – it is priced at all-time highs.
In short, as currencies race for the bottom, gold is racing to the top.
Investors everywhere are moving to insulate their portfolios against the
combined threats of recession, plummeting yields, currency
depreciation, and stock market instability. An over-arching nemesis not
likely to relinquish its place any time soon has unleashed those four
horsemen – the burgeoning trade and currency war.
Gold is up 25% in sterling; 22% in the yuan; 21.5% in euros; 19.7% in Australian dollars; 18% in rupee; 13% in Canadian dollars and 12% in Japanese yen. It is up sharply against a long list of emerging country currencies as well. By way of perspective, gold is up 16% in U.S. dollars thus far in 2019. “A host of global factors mean gold’s price is set to maintain its strength at least for the next six to 12 months,†said Howie Lee, an economist at Singapore’s Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, in a recent CNBC interview. “The world right now is in a precarious state and gold is due to benefit from this situation,†With the world – from Asia to Europe, the United States and a long list of emerging countries – now acutely attuned to gold ownership, it might not be long until we begin to see strains on the limited physical supplies.Â
Posted by AGORACOM
at 3:58 PM on Monday, August 12th, 2019
SPONSOR: Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V: GRAT) Advanced Materials company focused on mine to market commercialization of graphite products, most notably high value graphene based components for a range of mass market products. Collaborating with Perpetuus, Gratomic will use Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products for commercialization on an industrial scale. Click Here for More Info
Nanopore membranes have generated interest in biomedical research because they help researchers investigate individual molecules – atom by atom – by pulling them through pores for physical and chemical characterization
Researchers have not yet produced a membrane with spiral defects in the laboratory, but that task may be easier than trying to rid a graphene membrane of the current molecule-immobilizing step defects
Researchers at the University of Illinois examined how tiny defects in graphene membranes, formed during fabrication, could be used to improve molecule transport. They found that the defects make a big difference in how molecules move along a membrane surface. Instead of trying to fix these flaws, the team set out to use them to help direct molecules into the membrane pores.
Nanopore membranes have generated interest in biomedical research because they help researchers investigate individual molecules – atom by atom – by pulling them through pores for physical and chemical characterization. This technology could ultimately lead to devices that can quickly sequence DNA, RNA or proteins.
In
2014, University of Illinois physics professor Aleksei Aksimentiev and
graduate student Manish Shankla demonstrated a graphene membrane that
controlled a molecule’s movement through a nanopore by means of
electrical charge. They discovered that once the molecules are on the
surface of the membrane, it is very difficult to get them to shuffle
into the membrane’s pores because molecules like to adhere to the
surface.
While on sabbatical at Delft University of Technology in
the Netherlands, Aksimentiev found that DNA tends to accumulate and
stick along the edges of fabrication-formed defects that occur as linear
steps spanning across the membrane’s surface. The Illinois team’s goal
was to find a way to use these flaws to direct the stuck molecules into
the nanopores, as a principle that can also apply to the delivery,
sorting and analysis of biomolecules.
To refine and confirm their
observations, the researchers used the Blue Waters supercomputer at the
National Center for Supercomputing Applications at Illinois and the
XSEDE supercomputer to model the system and molecule movement scenarios
at the atomic level.
“Molecular dynamics simulations let us watch what is happening while simultaneously measuring how much force is required to get the molecule to clear a step,” Aksimentiev said. “We were surprised to find that it takes less force to move a molecule down a step than up. Although it may seem intuitive that gravity would make stepping down easier, it is not the case here because gravity is negligible at the nanoscale, and the force required to move up or down should be the same.”
Aksimentiev
said team members originally thought they could use concentric defect
patterns that form around the pores to force the molecules down, but
their simulations showed the molecules congregating along the edges of
the steps. That is when it dawned on them: A defect with edges that
spiral into a pore, combined with an applied directional force, would
give the molecule no other option than to go into the pore – kind of
like a drain.
“This way, we can drop molecules anywhere on the
membrane covered with these spiral structures and then pull the
molecules into a pore,” he said.
The researchers have not yet
produced a membrane with spiral defects in the laboratory, but that task
may be easier than trying to rid a graphene membrane of the current
molecule-immobilizing step defects, they said.
“When manufactured
at scale, defect-guided capture may potentially increase the DNA capture
throughput by several orders of magnitude, compared with current
technology,” Shankla said.
“After a long development process, we
are excited to see this principle used in a variety of other materials
and applications such as delivery of individual molecules to reaction
chambers for experiments,” the researchers said.Source: Nature NanotechnologyEurekalert
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 2:23 PM on Monday, August 12th, 2019
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Goldman Sachs Analysts Say that It’s Time to Buy Bitcoin
In short – the experts are quite bullish for Bitcoin to go up.
Basically, they have set up a short-term price target of $13,971 – yes, specifically this one.
Recently, Three Arrows Capital CEO Su Zhu has shared the Goldman Sachs
note which was sent out to investors. In the note, Goldman Sachs
analysts suggest that buying this Bitcoin dip is a prime opportunity.
The note itself consisted of a Bitcoin CMI futures chart and a comment from the analysts.
First of all, the fact that Goldman Sachs is sending out crypto, in
this particular case, Bitcoin advice to their investors is mind-blowing.
Also, the fact that they are seeing it as a bullish pattern and they
are using the Elliot Wave Theory indicators on their Bitcoin chart is
also a big surprise.
Experts point out that the fact that the Bitcoin CMI futures chart is
used means that this note is being sent out only to institutional
investors. You can see this by the little gaps in the chart which are
weekends. That is the time when CMI Bitcoin Futures markets are closed.
What does the Note Say?
In short – the experts are quite bullish for Bitcoin to go up.
Basically, they have set up a short-term price target of $13,971 – yes,
specifically this one.
In detail – they believe that Bitcoin will find a support level near
$11,094 and $10,791. Once it does that, the analysts say that the chart
has plenty of room to break out at least to $12,916, and possibly to a
new 2019 ATH – $13,971.
“Reaching these levels could mean completing a v wave count from
July. Bottom line, watch for a short-term top/consolidation once
satisfied,†says the note.
But this is a short-term prediction. What about long-term? Well,
according to Goldman Sachs analysts, anything below $13,000 is an
indication to accumulate. They believe that we are in for a similar
run-up like we saw recently this year when Bitcoin went from $7,600 to
around $11,900 in a matter of a couple of weeks.
“In the bigger scheme of things, this might still be the first leg of
another 5-wave count similar to the trend that lasted from Dec ‘18
through Jun ’19,†reads the note.
Also, another thing which recently was highlighted – Bitcoin loves
30% pullbacks. Some experts and analysts have noticed that after a
healthy 30% pullback, Bitcoin always have recovered and this is even
considered as a normal investment strategy. Hence, it is 100% sure that
Bitcoin will have a run-up if it has fallen by approx. 30%.
So in short – Goldman Sachs says that we all need to buy Bitcoin.
But, as usual, only the time will show whether this advice was
definitely the one that investors should have followed.
