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ZEN Graphene Solutions Targeting Albany Graphite for Utilization in Concrete Market $DNI.ca $GRAT.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:48 AM on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019
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  • Test work is being carried out as part of the Company’s market development strategy with the goal of utilizing the tailings as a partial cement replacement
  • Early results show promise and if successful would reduce tailings disposal costs and create a potential by-product revenue stream
  • Research tailings material was successfully tested as a partial cement replacement, using 10 and 20 percent of a cement mixture with ZEN’s tailings material.
  • After 28 days, the results showed the 10% replacement had a compressive strength rating of 46.1 MPa, less than a 2% difference from the control at 47 MPa.
  • The 20% replacement had a compressive strength rating of 37.9 MPa, about 20% difference with the control sample.
  • These highly encouraging initial and unoptimized results show significant promise for ZEN to push forward with further development work.

ZEN Graphite Hub on Agoracom


FULL DISCLOSURE: ZEN Graphene Solutions is an advertising client of AGORA Internet Relations Corp.

ZEN Graphene Solutions Testing of Albany Graphite Tailings as a Partial Cement Replacement Shows Excellent Compressive Strength Results $DNI $GRAT

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:59 AM on Thursday, February 21st, 2019
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  • Test work for potential application as a partial cement replacement material recently initiated at the University of B.C.
  • Test work is being carried out as part of the Company’s market development strategy with the goal of utilizing the tailings as a partial cement replacement
  • Early results show promise and if successful would reduce tailings disposal costs and create a potential by-product revenue stream.

Thunder Bay, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – February 21, 2019) – ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“ZEN” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an update on the Albany Graphite Project tailings test work for potential application as a partial cement replacement material recently initiated at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus (“UBC-O”). (Please see the Company’s news release dated December 17, 2018)

This test work is being carried out as part of the Company’s market development strategy with the goal of utilizing the tailings as a partial cement replacement. Early results show promise and if successful would reduce tailings disposal costs and create a potential by-product revenue stream. In addition, ZEN will also be initiating new research test work where Albany graphene will be added to project tailings material to potentially create an innovative new enhanced cement material and concrete that could have higher strength, faster curing time and increased durability as well as significant environmental benefits through reduced CO2 emissions.

Francis Dubé, Co-CEO of ZEN, commented, “Cement production from limestone is a significant source of CO2 emissions accounting for approximatively 8% of global emissions. Every ton of cement that we can replace with our tailings material would potentially save up to approximately one ton of CO2 emissions.”

The research work is being conducted by Dr. Ahmad Rteil at UBC-O where ZEN’s tailings material was successfully tested as a partial cement replacement. Dr. Rteil replaced 10 and 20 percent of a cement mixture with ZEN’s tailings material and after 28 days, the results showed the 10% replacement had a compressive strength rating of 46.1 MPa, less than a 2% difference from the control at 47 MPa. The 20% replacement had a compressive strength rating of 37.9 MPa, about 20% difference with the control sample.

These results are significant as currently most of the concrete used by the construction industry (e.g. for low and mid-rise buildings, bridge decks, foundations, etc.) has a compressive strength requirement ranging between 20 MPa and 40 MPa. These highly encouraging initial and unoptimized results show significant promise for ZEN to push forward with further development work. The Company now plans further tests that will optimize the use of Albany Graphite tailings as a partial cement replacement including the potential of adding ZEN graphene to the tailings material.

Dr. Rteil stated, “These results are very promising. Partially replacing cement with tailings materials could have a significant financial and environmental impact on the concrete industry by being able to deliver a better product while reducing its carbon footprint.”

About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.

ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. is an emerging graphene technology solutions company with a focus on development of the unique Albany Graphite Project as a precursor graphene material product opportunity and product market development. The Albany Graphite Project provides the company with a competitive advantage in the potential graphene market as independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods.

For further information:

Francis Dubé, Co-Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: [email protected]

To find out more on ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., please visit our website at www.ZENGraphene.com . A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.

ZEN Graphene Solutions $ZEN Provides Update on Bulk Sampling Program $DNI $GRAT

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:13 AM on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019
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  • The bulk sampling program is anticipated to be completed by early April 2019
  • The main purpose of the program is to recover a large sample of graphite to generate graphene product samples for market development purposes
  • This material will be subsequently purified to 99.8% and ultimately converted to graphene and graphene oxide for continued market development work.

Thunder Bay, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – February 19, 2019) – ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“ZEN” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an update on recent activities including progress on the winter Albany Graphite bulk sampling program and the engagement of a new Investor Relations consultant.

Bulk Sampling Program

The bulk sampling program is proceeding well and is anticipated to be completed by early April 2019. The main purpose of the program is to recover a large sample of the graphite mineralization in order to generate graphene product samples for market development purposes. The program is expected to generate up to 40 tons of 99.8% purity graphene pre-cursor material.

The winter road has been cleared to the Albany project site and the mobilization of the camp and drill equipment has commenced. The company has contracted Les Forages L.B.M. Inc. of Victoriaville, Québec to perform the drill program which is anticipated to commence shortly. Preparation and maintenance of the winter road has been contracted to Amik Nuna Forestry Services JV and the camp services will be provided by Expedition Camps and Logistics of Cochrane, Ontario; both companies have business partnerships with Constance Lake First Nation (CLFN). The bulk sample program will consist of a total of six large diameter percussive reverse circulation drill holes, five on the East Pipe and one on the West Pipe and is designed to recover up to 990 tonnes of graphite mineralized material. This material will be subsequently purified to 99.8% and ultimately converted to graphene and graphene oxide for continued market development work.

ZEN has also been invited to participate in Constance Lake First Nation’s Second Annual Mining Conference, titled “Following Water in Mining” which will be held at Constance Lake on February 19. The company will provide an update to the CLFN community on the new team, its goals and aspirations. ZEN will also be participating in the Annual Feast which will take place on the following day.

Investor Relations Consultant

ZEN is also pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Ms. Mara Strazdins, a consultant with Storyboard Communications Corp. (“Storyboard”), a Toronto-based investor relations and capital markets advisory firm serving Canadian small to mid-cap companies across North American markets.

“With our new ZEN Graphene Solutions brand in place, we are launching a refined communications and investor relations strategy to further engage with the market and our stakeholders,” said Francis Dubé Co-CEO of ZEN. “Our story has evolved considerably over the last year. We are now on a new path as an emerging graphene technology company and this new partnership with Storyboard and Ms. Strazdins will assist us as we increase our profile within the financial community and in the broader business community now looking for reliable new sources of high-quality graphene products.”

The 2019 development plans for ZEN include collecting a bulk sample of Albany graphite for processing and larger volume conversions to graphene. As the Company intends to pursue development and partnerships for its graphene material, Storyboard will assist the Company with communication of ZEN’s compelling growth plan as it continues to execute on its graphene materials business model.

Under the terms of the agreement, ZEN will pay a monthly retainer of CAD $5,000 for an initial term of six months for ongoing strategic communications and capital markets advisory services. At the time of entering into this agreement, Storyboard, or any of its executives, has no ownership interest, directly or indirectly, in ZEN or its securities. ZEN has not granted Storyboard any right to acquire any such interests.

About Storyboard Communications

Storyboard provides high-quality investor relations and communications services for small to mid-cap companies in all sectors, using a unique approach through an innovative methodology, enhanced by data analytics technology. For further information visit www.storyboardcommunications.com

About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.

ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. is an emerging graphene technology solutions company with a focus on development of the unique Albany Graphite Project as a precursor graphene material product opportunity and product market development. The Albany Graphite Project provides the company with a competitive advantage in the potential graphene market as independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods.

For further information:

Francis Dubé, Co-Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: [email protected]

To find out more on ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., please visit our website at www.ZENGraphene.com . A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.

$ZEN Zenyatta provides update on Albany Graphite Bulk Sampling Program $GRAT $DNI

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:34 AM on Friday, January 11th, 2019
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  • Update on fully permitted 2019 bulk sampling program on the Albany Graphite Project, located in northern Ontario
  • Purpose of the program is to recover a large sample of the graphite mineralization in order to generate graphene product samples for market development purposes
  • Program to generate up to 40 tons of 99.8% purity graphene pre-cursor material, with a budget of 3$M derived from recent financing.

Thunder Bay, Ontario–(January 11, 2019) – Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“Zenyatta”, “ZEN” or “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its now fully permitted 2019 bulk sampling program on the Albany Graphite Project, located in northern Ontario near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. The main purpose of the program is to recover a large sample of the graphite mineralization in order to generate graphene product samples for market development purposes. The program is expected to generate up to 40 tons of 99.8% purity graphene pre-cursor material. The total budget for the program is $3 million, to be funded with the proceeds of the recently completed flow-through financing.

“This bulk sampling program is critical to the further development of the exciting graphene product opportunity that we have confirmed with our research partners over the past few months. We now have numerous potential customers requesting product samples to test in various new graphene-based technologies and composites in our 5 identified verticals. This work will also help us discover the market value of ZEN’s graphene products.” stated Dr. Francis Dubé Co-CEO.

The Company has now received the final two permits required from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines: one for permission to collect the 990 tonne sample and offer graphene produced from the sample for sale to prospective future customers; and second, an exploration permit to drill the large diameter reverse circulation drill holes required to recover the sample from the overburden-covered Albany Deposit.

The Company has also received permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to build three ice bridge creek crossings along the proposed winter access road to the drill site which will largely utilize pre-existing forestry roads, a bridge and the 2013 winter trail. Now that the program is fully permitted and funded, preparation of the winter road will get underway immediately. The drilling is expected to be completed by the end of March 2019 following which processing work on the bulk sample can begin.

Peter Wood, P. Eng., P. Geo. is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed, prepared and supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this news release.

For further information:

Dr. Francis Dubé, Co-CEO & Head of Business Development and Technology
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: [email protected]

About Zenyatta

Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite Project hosts a large and unique quality deposit of highly crystalline graphite. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods. The deposit is located in northern Ontario just 30km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. Important nearby infrastructure include hydro-power, natural gas pipeline, a rail line 50 km away and an all-weather road just 10 km from the deposit.

To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit our website at www.zenyatta.ca. A copy of this press release and all material documents with respect of the Company may be obtained on Zenyatta’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.

$ZEN.ca Zenyatta Provides Graphene Market Development Update

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:23 AM on Thursday, December 6th, 2018

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  • Identified 5 vertical sets for its graphene products
  • Aerospace, Biomedical, Water Treatment, Transportation and Civil Engineering
  • Graphene has many potential applications and ZEN is working in close collaboration with researchers both in industry and in academia.
  • Multiple Canadian government agencies have already directly contributed over $2 million to ZEN’s graphene research and development work.
Thunder Bay, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – December 6, 2018) – Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“Zenyatta”, “ZEN” or “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its graphene market development work which has led to the creation of five significant potential market verticals for the Company which include aerospace, biomedical, water treatment, transportation and civil engineering.

Graphene is an emerging market opportunity with many potential applications. The challenge for a new supplier like ZEN is to define the priority market segments offering the best value creation potential. ZEN is tackling this challenge by working in close collaboration with researchers both in industry and in academia. From the work done by the ZEN team over just the past 6 months, the Company is now actively collaborating with 22 industrial end users and 10 Canadian universities. ZEN is also receiving significant interest from multiple Canadian government agencies who have already directly contributed over $2 million to ZEN’s graphene research and development work.

Dr. Francis Dubé Co-CEO commented, “Our model of bringing together end-users with specific graphene-related opportunities and researchers from top Canadian Universities to provide industry specific graphene solutions is proving to be attractive to all parties. We are creating win-win-win scenarios for everyone involved as we help solve industry challenges in delivering the power of graphene to end-users. Our work is also bringing leading edge research projects to Canadian academia and creating demand for our graphene products while developing potentially valuable intellectual property (IP) protected inventions. The work being done across the country has the potential to make Canada a leader in the emerging clean technology-oriented graphene industry.”

ZEN’s graphene solutions and the potential economic benefit that they can bring to the Canadian economy has attracted the attention of several government agencies that are supporting innovation, sustainability and new clean technology. The Company will continue to work with the government program coordinators for the opportunities that ZEN’s unique Albany Graphite product offers for innovative nano-materials applications. This effort is led by ZEN’s Ottawa-based Outreach Program Coordinator, Monique Manaigre.

The market development work is being led by the Company’s Head of Sales, Phil Chataigneau along with Research Catalyst, Colin van der Kuur. Their combined efforts have led to the development of the 5 most significant potential graphene market verticals:

Aerospace Applications:

Graphene light-weighting, hydrogen applications, Lightning strike protection, composite enhancement, solid state heat sinks, solid state wiring, leading edge/wing de-icing, ceramic armour, radar/sonar absorption, technical/smart fabrics, personal body armour, Graphene Oxide (GO) in jet fuel, lighter cargo containers.

Biomedical Applications:

Oncology treatment using Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) to deliver targeted therapies.
Diabetes, other standard diagnostic testing with Functionalized GO sensors.

Water Treatment:

Graphene based desalination membranes and other water purification products.

Transportation:

Applications with auto makers and resin manufacturers for: Heat Sinks & Light-weighting, Graphene wires for electric motors, graphene 3-d printing apps to deliver weight savings, (GO) Fuel Additives (Diesel & Jet Fuel), Hydrogen Economy: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis Units, Next-Generation Fuel Cells with graphene 3-D printed circuits and graphene plates.

Civil Engineering:

Graphene additive in cement/concrete.
Graphene in roads/surfacing products.

In recognition of the excellent progress made by the Company’s market development team over the past six months, the Board of Directors has approved the grant of 50,000 incentive stock options grant to each of these three individuals. These options will be priced at $0.40 per share. One-third of the options vested on the date of their grant, one-third of the options will vest six months following the date of grant and the balance will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant. The options have a term of two years and are subject in all respects to the terms of the Company’s incentive stock option plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

For further information:

Dr. Francis Dubé, Co-CEO & Head of Business Development and Technology
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: [email protected]

About Zenyatta

Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite Project hosts a large and unique quality deposit of highly crystalline graphite. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods. The deposit is located in northern Ontario just 30km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. Important nearby infrastructure include hydro-power, natural gas pipeline, a rail line 50 km away and an all-weather road just 10 km from the deposit.

To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit our website at www.zenyatta.ca. A copy of this press release and all material documents with respect of the Company may be obtained on Zenyatta’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.

VIDEO: Our Interview With Co-CEO Francis Dube From The Global Graphene Expo. Must Watch Interview!

Posted by AGORACOM at 12:17 PM on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018

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I’m very happy to have conducted my first interview with Zenyatta (Soon To Be Zen Graphene Solutions) Chairman and Co-CEO, Dr. Francis Dube. My thrill is two-fold:

1] Francis started out as an AGORACOM member and rose to the highest possible ranking on the site by providing great, intelligent conversation, analysis and information to his fellow members and shareholders. Now, he has transitioned from AGORACOM to the C-Suite of an actual public company and we couldn’t be more proud of both him and the platform for helping make this happen.

2] Francis has teamed up with Co-CEO, Don Bubar, who was one of our first clients many years ago before he too graduated Avalon to the NYSE, where the stock hit a high of ~ $10.00. Don is one of the top 5 people I have met in this industry over the past 20 years and a very well respected member of the mining industry. Their collaboration and complementary skill sets will be of great value to Zenyatta for many years to come.

On that note, this is why our first interview with Francis is a great one. The company is moving forward with great tangible steps, including the company’s most recent press releases that were well timed to coincide with the company’s presentation and exhibit at the Global Graphene Expo in Austin, Texas this week.

Taking the time to speak to his shareholders, via video from the conference, is proof positive that Francis is confident enough in the company’s future to be fully accessible and transparent.

Grab a coffee, sit back and watch this great interview. When you’re done, please feel free to post your comments and questions below for Francis to reply and comment.

$ZEN Tokyo Tech Research Confirms Ease of Conversion of Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite to Graphene $GRAT

Posted by AGORACOM at 8:36 AM on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

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  • Researchers in Japan have published findings in the Journal of Materials Science
  •  “the smaller the feed graphite particle, the easier to exfoliate”
  • The exfoliation productivity of graphite derived from Zenyatta’s unique Albany deposit in Northern Ontario performed up to 1500% better than the researchers’ reference

Thunder Bay, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – October 16, 2018) – Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) today reported that researchers in Japan have published findings in the Journal of Materials Science linking particle size to the ease of producing graphene from graphite through exfoliation — the smaller the feed graphite particle, the easier to exfoliate. The researchers further concluded that, due to the size of its flakes, the exfoliation productivity of graphite derived from Zenyatta’s unique Albany deposit in Northern Ontario performed up to 1500% better than the researchers’ reference flake graphite materials.

In a 2017 Zenyatta news release, Dr. Yoshihiko Arao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tokyo Tech, stated “Zenyatta’s high-purity graphite material was tested by our scientific team on mechanical conversion to graphene and discovered it converted much easier and with higher yields of graphene than our reference material. We have tested many types of natural graphite but found Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite material to have better exfoliation performance and produce better graphene particles than the reference material. We believe that this is an extraordinary, unique material and we would like to carry out further collaborative work with Zenyatta on graphene applications.”

The following significant test results are reported in the paper by Dr. Arao and Dr. Masatoshi Kubouchi at Tokyo Tech:

  1. The main conclusion of the paper was that the smaller the feed graphite particle, the easier it is to exfoliate thus indicating that the graphite particle size is quite an important variable for successful exfoliation.
    • Exfoliation productivity of smaller Albany Graphite flakes performs up to 1500% better than the larger reference flake graphite materials.
    • Albany Graphite particles reach a 2 µm particle size with a standard milling process, while the reference flake graphite material could not mill below a 3 µm particle size as the graphite tends to agglomerate together.
    • It is concluded that the fine crystalline nature of Albany Graphite contributes to the relatively easy milling characteristics. This can be attributed to the unusual geological mode of formation (a rapid crystallization igneous process) which accounts for the superior crystallinity and overall quality of the graphite mineralization found in this unique deposit.
  2. Graphene exfoliated from Albany graphite produced material with the highest aspect ratio with an average thickness of 2.0 nm indicative of graphene with 2.4 layers. Also, the optical absorbance of the Zenyatta graphene dispersion was 2-10 times better than the other 3 reference samples that were tested. This demonstrated that concentrated graphene dispersions can be easily produced from Albany Graphite. The resulting small and thin graphene dispersion is suitable for printable inks.

This paper confirms the reason for success on the Company’s many graphene research and product development initiatives, especially in composites. Tokyo Tech has established that Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite converts (exfoliates) easily to graphene, producing mono-layer to tri-layer material with excellent dispersion properties and is highly suitable for many graphene and graphene-oxide applications.

Mr. Peter Wood, P.Eng, P.Geo., President and COO of Zenyatta, is the “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed, prepared and supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this news release.

For further information:

Dr. Francis Dubé, Co-CEO & Head of Business Development and Technology
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: [email protected]

About Zenyatta

Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite Project hosts a large and unique quality deposit of highly crystalline graphite. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that Zenyatta’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods. The deposit is located in northern Ontario just 30km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. Important nearby infrastructure include hydro-power, natural gas pipeline, a rail line 50 km away and an all-weather road just 10 km from the deposit.

To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit our website at www.zenyatta.ca. A copy of this press release and all material documents with respect of the Company may be obtained on Zenyatta’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.