Well that would be great news if it has started. At the very least it shows D'Couto is moving forward, it may also indicate he obtained funding.
Unsure why the DOE would not update their website, especially if the point of contact at Oak Ridge National Labs is aware that it is active. Oh well, they started late and have 12 months.
Since we do not specifically know what their methodology is, all we can assume is that NEAH prepped different samples with different metalization schemes, thicknesses and or alloys and are compiling the results to arrive at the optimum recipe.
This is all supposition on my part, since we have no information. I do not even know if Argonne will go beyond the characterization of material and actually analyze a fully built battery and run it through its paces.
The time frame is a bit off for when the buying started so not sure if its related to this. The heavy buying started on July 5th, although we do not know when the initial email from Argonne went to NEAH. Their phone call is stated to have happened on July 10th. Pretty close time lines. Maybe someone got some good news.
This is encouraging to say the least.
JMHO
Bill