Coretec has the #1 silicon precursor available in Si6H12 which is going to be a huge winner in many markets , the next update will be a great one as Coretecs management is accomplishing great things !!!
Tell us about The Coretec Group and its mission.
The Coretec Group’s mission is to commercialize innovations and disruptive technologies in silicon (Si) and 3D visualization, serving advanced technology markets in support of global challenges in energy, electronics, semiconductor, solar, health, environment, and security.
The Coretec Group has really focused on CHS technology? Tell us about CHS Technology.
CHS, or cyclohexasilane (Si6H12), is an excellent Si precursor, many say the best source for the atom Si. The silicon atom has wide ranging chemical characteristics; from semiconductor chips to silicone caulk to Si oxide (glass). We have many critical materials today that owe their material performance to the silicon atom. Coretec is committed to supplying the best Si precursors for next generation advanced materials and systems, primarily focused on technology markets that need a step function in innovation to reach tomorrow’s solutions.
What benefits can this form of CHS bring to alternative energy markets?
CHS is a liquid up to 175F, which means it can enable room temperature liquid silicon precursor processing; thereby reducing processing costs. In some applications, it can enable unique material properties not achievable with other silicon precursors; which means CHS can deliver unique performance characteristics in the customers application. It starts with this: CHS is a ring of six Si atoms, all six Si atoms have two Si bonds, and the other two bonds to each Si atom are hydrogens. The silicon-hydrogen bonds in this molecular structure are weaker compared to conventional Si precursors due to the molecule’s geometry, which means it is easy to remove the hydrogen and all that is left is PURE Si. Moreover, the unique CHS structure enables preferential formation of Si structures compared to traditional materials such as silane, SiH4. A liquid Si precursor at room temperature, with an easier transformation to pure silicon are some of key advantages of CHS with the added bonus of a lower transition temperature to amorphous Si (a-Si) and crystalline Si (c-Si).
This means CHS-derived Si nanoparticles have many advantages over other Si nanoparticles, AND CHS is more easily functionalized (combined with other atoms, like boron) leading to unique chemical compounds that can deliver tailored Si-materials. Better Si nanoparticles and better Si quantum dots (QDots) make better Si anode batteries, better solar cells, better LEDs, better QDots for drug delivery, and many other uses.
Tell us about the cost savings of CHS as related to energy storage.
The Energy Storage Market needs better batteries. Lithium-ion batteries can realize significant improvements in storage capacity by using Si anodes, and CHS can enable that in two ways. First in process ability; CHS can coat carbon nanoparticles as a liquid, making the coating process faster and cheaper. Second, with some unique processing, CHS can readily form Si nanoparticles which can address the issue of expansion and contraction experienced in charging and discharging Si anode lithium-ion batteries. A lithium-ion battery, however, with a Si anode has the potential to achieve a 300% increase in power density (300% more power output in same size/weight battery). We could also reduce battery weight and attain a significant increase in power. Think of an electric car battery half the size but with a 150% increase in power & distance. All other things being equal, that 200-mile EV range just turned into 500 miles.
