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Gold/Mining/Energy : Zentek Ltd - ZEN -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Wishfulthinker who wrote (3766)9/26/2013 9:30:55 PM
From: hoov10 Recommendations

Recommended By
1sq1
Chinarab
Claude Cormier
copperknob
kidl

and 5 more members

  Respond to of 22788
 
I think it's short-sighted to get into black and white thinking about applications for ZEN's graphite.

Consider spherical graphite, which is a processing of flake graphite which makes it suitable in applications for which it is inherently unsuitable.

Even if preliminary tests come back as negative, that is not evidence that modifications to the graphite might not remedy the deficiency.

I'd love to discover that ZEN's graphite is perfect for lithium battery electrodes, for example, right out of the gate. But even if it's not, that doesn't mean that it couldn't be upgraded, or modified, for that application.

The testing for nuclear applications might take years. But, even if preliminary indications are negative, that does not mean that those limitations cannot be overcome.

The future is shades of gray, not black and white. That said, meeting the purity standard represented by what is defined as the Equivalent Boron Concentration would be an affirmative variable. Other standards would also need to be met, but ticking off the purity criteria would be one heck of a good start.

Let's not forget that the Fulpers implied that ZEN's deposit isn't even graphite, in the first instance. Some critics still wonder what the deposit is composed of. Proof that it is graphite is a hurdle that some would argue has not yet been met. Proof that it is nuclear grade graphite is a hurdle down the road from here.

Preaching to the choir is not the solution. But neither is doubting the choir. Independent 3rd party reports will provide clarity, in time. But that schedule is not within the control of ZEN. The concept of independence will always dominate, not the calendar.

Lar



To: Wishfulthinker who wrote (3766)9/27/2013 9:19:52 AM
From: the Chief1 Recommendation

Recommended By
copperknob

  Respond to of 22788
 
Yes it may not be any good for that or those markets. I am no graphite chemist by any means but purity is not the end to the problem or the solution. I prefer to deal in simplistic terms. So here is a comparison.

You have a wire of copper inside an insulator. Someone says, this is pure copper inside and so will make a good electrical conductor. That pre supposes that copper "is" a great electrical conductor, which it is because the characteristics are already known.
In the case of graphite, my understanding is what makes up the characteristics is a number of facets. One being the flakes and their organization. Also what happens when you apply current to those flakes and what they do when the current is applied and how quickly do they pass that current, and how much loss/ heat is created in that transfer?
So if you remember back to the days of your physics class. The iron filings and magnet and sheet of paper thing. All the little pieces stood up when the magnet was applied to the underside of the paper.

So again, for simplicity sake, did all the pieces standup? Did they standup with the same strength? did all of them standup and align in the same direction. Thats the sort of comparable "characteristics" we need to know to determine whether its suitable for electrodes.

Lump is more malliable then flake graphite and tends to stay formed in whatever form you put it in, more so then flake graphite. So the question is, can you form an electrode of this stuff and it sticks together? If not what "impurity" ie glue will you need to get it to form and hold the shape of an electrode. Does the "glue" then introduce enough impurity that it nullifies the use of what would be a perfect graphite for the use of the electrode?

So many questions.... all waiting for answers lol