Reducing U.S. Dependence on Foreign Sourced Critical Minerals by Using Domestically Produced, Readily Scalable LTDF Graphene

May 2026

A Platform Super Material

• Large, thin, defect free (LTDF) graphene is a carbon‑based platform material derived by separating flake graphite’s atomic layers
• Avadain’s modular, scalable production process creates very large surface area, defect free flakes with <5 atomic layers
• These physical properties uniquely make LTDF graphene a transformative additive material:
• 200x stronger than steel, 125x stronger than titanium
• 1,000,000x the power density of copper
• 100x the electron mobility of silicon
• Best known thermal & electrical conductor, 10x better than silver
• Impermeable corrosion resistant barrier, 5x better than nickel coatings
• Surface area 400x greater than graphite
• 3.5x lighter than aluminum
• 1 gram can cover a soccer field

There are many types of graphene family materials, but …

to lessen dependence on foreign sourced critical minerals (CMs), SIZE MATTERS

• 0.02 µm graphene nano-particles (top, left) are ~200,000x smaller than a 5 µm LTDF flake (right)

LTDF’s vastly larger lateral size results in fewer gaps that impede electrical/thermal conductivity, protective coatings & mechanical strength

Platform Super Material (cont’d)

Overview

LTDF graphene can help reshape the U.S. CM landscape

LTDF graphene is a functional enabler to substantially lessen dependence on foreign sourced CMs

Replace

LTDF’s intrinsic properties can directly substitute for some CMs in conductors, coatings, transparent films & structural materials.

Reduce

Dramatically increases performance at very low loadings, requiring less CMs in batteries, motors, alloys & thermal systems.

Amplify

Boosts performance of certain CMs far beyond their natural limits, so each gram delivers greater performance & higher efficiencies while lasting longer.

Extensive Lab Validation

• We aren’t trying to prove graphene can lessen dependence on CMs
• Researchers worldwide in thousands of studies have repeatedly demonstrated that it does
• Peer-reviewed papers across conductivity, corrosion resistance, battery performance, structural reinforcement, etc. confirm graphene’s incredible impact on CM applications
• These studies used lab-created LTDF graphene. Avadain’s modular technology creates very high quality, commercially scalable LTDF graphene

Overwhelming Evidence LTDF Graphene Can Reduce, Replace or Amplify CMs

Based on lab created, non-commercially scalable LTDF graphene. Avadain has overcome the barrier to commercial scaling.

Graphene EMI Films

Thinner Conductors

Graphene-Copper Hybrids

Graphene-Ni Coatings or Plating

Less Ni Content in Alloys

Longer Life Anti-

corrosion

Graphene Inks and Pastes

Lower Ag Loadings in Pastes

Ag-Graphene Hybrids

Enable Co-Free Batteries

Decrease Co cathode content

Graphene-Co Hybrid Catalysts

Graphene Conductive Systems

Less Graphite in Anodes

High-Purity Graphite Extender

Display Screens

Lower ITO Usage

Graphene Based Devices

Graphene Coatings

Lower Nb Alloy content

Nb-Graphene Composites

Graphene Coatings

Less Sc-Al Usage

Graphene Enhanced

Composites

Less Ti per Structure

Reduced Ti Alloying

Ti-Graphene Hybrids

Graphene Steels

Decrease V Loading

Graphene-V Flow Cells

Graphite

H. Zhang, et al, Physics and Applications of Graphene - Experiments. InTech, 2011. 

Silver

Graphene’s thermal conductivity can enhance silver many fold at low loadings

Krishnamurthy, V., High-Efficiency Thermal Materials with Graphene and Metal Fillers, U.S. Patent 9,716,299, issued July 25, 2017

Nickel

R. S.Raman, A.Sanjid, Small, 2024, 20, 2302498.

Copper

Thin graphene coatings on copper boost conductivity by up to 20%, reducing copper needed

Balandin, A. A. et al., Nano Letters, 2014, 14, 3.

Titanium

Malhotra R. et al., Dent. Mater., 2021, 37, 10, 1553.

Cobalt

Graphene content boosts batteries by 30% allowing less Cobalt use

 Lung-Hao Hu. et al.  Nat. Commun., 2013, 4:1687.

Indium

Graphene gives superior screen transparency, flexibility & conductivity compared to Indium, allowing complete replacement

Hernaez, M. et al.  Sensors., 2017, 17(1), 155.

Ultra Low Use of Natural Flake Graphite

1 mt of LTDF Graphene Goes a Long Way

• 1 mt = 0.005% of domestic graphite use
• 1.6 mt graphite produces 1 mt of LTDF graphene
• Our process does not use or depend upon battery grade spherical graphite as a feedstock

Net Saver of Natural Flake Graphite

• LTDF graphene is a far superior material to graphite in most applications
• 1 mt of LTDF graphene can displace >10 mt of natural flake graphite in non-battery applications
• Reduces need for natural flake graphite per unit of product function

1 mt of LTDF Graphene gives 3x to 10x amplification

• Upgrades graphite to replace higher-value critical minerals
• LTDF graphene platform material greatly expands use cases of graphite

Path to Scaling LTDF Production

Scalable Manufacturing

• Avadain’s patented LTDF graphene manufacturing technology is low CAPEX, modular & scalable
• Business model: license production to chemical companies & advanced materials manufacturers to create a widely distributed U.S. manufacturing base
• Facilitates rapid scaling
• As LTDF graphene supply increases, price will decline

First Licensed Manufacturer

• Harcros Chemicals is the first licensed manufacturer
• Seeks to build up to 10 LTDF manufacturing lines nationwide
• Waiting for small scale plant in operation before moving forward

Industry Momentum

• Other manufacturers are waiting to see Harcros’ first plant in operation

Conclusion

• LTDF graphene is a unique “platform material”
• Adding a tiny amount can transform products across dozens of industries
• Thousands of studies confirm it enables three strategic pathways to lessen or eliminate CMs
• Intensity reduction: improves thermal & electrical performance, reducing CM content
• Direct substitution: replaces CMs in high‑performance components & coatings
• Performance amplification: enhances existing materials, reducing total CM needed
• LTDF graphene is ready to be demonstrated in CM applications
• Quick, inexpensive

Conclusion (cont’d)

Partnering with Avadain is a low‑cost, high‑impact way to secure a domestic, scalable supply of a strategic material that reduces reliance on foreign CMs while enhancing the performance of next‑generation defense & energy systems

Appendix

Tables Delineating Functions that LTDF Graphene Can Reduce, Replace or Amplify Specific Critical Minerals

REDUCE

REPLACE

AMPLIFY