Novacium’s METAGENE™ On-Demand, Autonomous, Hydrolysis-Based and Pressurized Hydrogen Production System Reaches Major Milestone

• The METAGENETM technology harnesses hydrogen released from low-cost and low-carbon footprint metallic alloys via hydrolysis, establishing an autonomous, on-demand pressurized energy process

• Lab scale pilot tests results help strengthen the patent application before progressing to PCT national phase and reaching 'Patent Pending' status

• Patent examiners' offices reports highlights the METAGENETM unique innovation and robustness without any anteriority, which is very rare

• The technology simplicity and safety potential attract interest from defence related institutional and industrial partners in Europe who have pre-selected the project for a grant allocation to finance up to 75% of the €1 million cost of manufacturing an Industrial scale pilot plant

• The Technology’s key innovation lies in its use of a non-powder-based, non-explosive, and non-hazardous consumable energy source to produce hydrogen. This stands in contrast to traditional processes, which rely on highly explosive fossil fuels or nano- and micro-sized metallic powders as combustibles

• In addition to being a Novacium shareholder HPQ holds an exclusive North American (Canada, USA and Mexico) METAGENETM licence

MONTREAL, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08)—a technology company specializing in green engineering of silica and silicon-based materials—is pleased to update shareholders on the latest hydrogen milestones achieved by its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (Novacium).

Image 1 Lab-scale pilot plant reactor in action

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Novacium METAGENETM is an autonomous on-demand hydrogen production system using hydrolysis that generates compressed hydrogen at pressures suitable for industrial, civilian, and military applications.

The Patent Pending technology's key innovation lies in its unique ability to use a bulk, non-explosive, and non-hazardous aluminum-silicon-based alloy as the consumable energy source for hydrogen production. This breakthrough addresses two critical issues highlighted in an MIT News Article: ensuring the aluminum surface remains clean and reactive with water and enabling the use of scrap aluminum from various sources as feedstock, since pure aluminum is energy-intensive to mine and produce.

METAGENETM operates without electricity, extensive storage, or complex transportation infrastructure, making it a truly autonomous solution. In contrast, traditional hydrogen production systems, such as electrolysis and steam methane reforming, are capital-intensive, emit significant carbon, and rely on costly infrastructure.

In July 2022, a lab-scale pilot plant was designed, built, and assembled at Novacium's laboratory. Preliminary tests conducted over 10 months culminated in a provisional patent application filed in May 2023 for a low-carbon-footprint, chemical-based, on-demand, high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system (HPQ September 7, 2023 release).

Testing continued for 18 months, leading to the patent's progression to the PCT national phase. Efforts focused on scaling up to an industrial pilot plant and securing grant financing to cover 35–75% of the prototype development costs.

The process uses a bulk, non-explosive, and non-hazardous aluminum-silicon-based alloy to produce hydrogen. View the reaction video.

In October 2024, Novacium received a commendatory report from the patent examiner's office. The report affirmed the unique value of the technology and found no prior art, significantly strengthening the patent.

“It is rare, in a field as established as hydrolysis, to achieve a true technological breakthrough,” said Dr. Jed Kraiem, Chief Operating Officer of Novacium.

“For startups like HPQ and Novacium, a solid intellectual property portfolio enhances our technologies' value and market position,” added Dr. Kraiem.

METAGENETM has attracted interest from the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), which pre-selected the project for RAPID grant funding. The program supports dual-use innovations and will fund up to 75% of the €1 million cost for an industrial prototype.

The French army's Technical Section (STAT) will evaluate METAGENETM for operational use. The innovation aligns with military needs for energy autonomy in challenging conditions.

“Providing armed forces with ground-level hydrogen production represents a significant step toward energy independence,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS.

About NOVACIUM SAS

Novacium, an HPQ affiliate, started in 2022 as a green technology startup based in Lyon, France. Partnering with HPQ and top French research engineers, Novacium specializes in developing renewable energy technologies. Its innovations include a low-carbon autonomous hydrogen production system.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based company developing innovative green processes with partners like PyroGenesis Canada Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. HPQ focuses on sustainable solutions for fumed silica, silicon-based anodes, and high-purity silicon.

For more details, visit the HPQ Silicon website.