Our joint research venture at the University of Newcastle Global Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN) has just filed provisional patents for processing rare halloysite-kaolin from our Great White Kaolin Project (GWKP) into nanoporous carbon materials that can be used for essential new technologies like carbon capture and energy storage
‘Most importantly, these major advances will be delivered utilising a low-cost and naturally available, benign clay’ said Managing Director James Marsh.
Jointly owned (50:50) with our project partner Minotaur Exploration, Natural Nanotech (NNT) was formed to investigate advanced nanotechnology applications using the rare halloysite-kaolin from the GWKP. The properties of halloysite nanotubes make halloysite-kaolin products ideally suited to a diverse range of specialist applications, including hydrogen storage, carbon capture, water and wastewater treatment and agricultural applications.
NNT has filed provisional patents for processing this halloysite-kaolin into chemically-activated carbon nanomaterials, and has recently purchased a large-scale industrial kaolin processing centrifuge for installation at our $1M pilot plant in Streaky Bay. Once commissioned, this plant will be used produce high purity halloysite from the GWKP.
Filing a provisional patent application is the first step towards establishing Australian and international Intellectual Property Protection. The provisional patent will provide protection for NNT’s halloysite-based technology as it develops.