Sio Silica Partners with University of Manitoba on Single-Step Silicon Battery Materials
Winnipeg, Manitoba – March 2, 2026 — Sio Silica Corp. (“Sio”) is pleased to announce it has partnered with the University of Manitoba (UM) department of Chemistry to conduct ongoing research into Mechanochemical Single-Step Synthesis of Silicon Battery Materials from Silica.
The strategic partnership between Sio and the UM is to further develop silicon oxide-based anode materials from high-purity silica. “We are making a high-performance battery material that already exists in similar form using a potentially much faster, lower-cost, and lower-impact route”, stated Dr. Kuss. Successful research is a transformational step in establishing economic viability of silica use in battery anode materials and electrochemical research.
Dr. Christian Kuss, a multiple award recipient, co-holder of 4 patents in electrochemical methods and battery material, and published Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba, will be lead and academic supervisor. “The carbon footprint of many battery materials is large enough that the manufacture of an electric vehicle currently causes about 50 per cent greater carbon emissions than the manufacture of a comparable gasoline car” stated Dr. Kuss. “In partnership with Sio Silica, we are here investigating a simple, one-step, low-emission process to produce a battery active material directly from high-purity sand. Leveraging silicon suboxide nano-powders, this process happens without harmful solvents or high temperature furnaces, which are required in many other synthetic processes for battery materials. The produced nano-powders can be used as high-performance anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, with capacities that are 6 to 10 times greater capacity than the current gold standard: graphite.”
“This partnership with the University is important to Sio” explains Carla Devlin, President of Sio, “Single-step silica processes allow battery anodes to be produced directly from high-purity SiO₂ rather than energy-intensive metallurgical silicon, reducing cost, complexity, and carbon footprint. This approach improves scalability, strengthens domestic critical-mineral supply chains, and supports high-capacity silicon-dominant lithium-ion battery performance. At Sio we believe Manitoba can position itself as a world leader in value add and engineered product supply chains around high purity silica.”
About Sio Silica Corp.
Sio Silica Corp. is a Manitoba resource development company focused on the responsible development of high-purity silica while prioritizing environmental protection, innovation, and transparent monitoring practices. Through collaboration with academic, government, and community partners, Sio is committed to advancing science-based approaches that support sustainable economic development and long-term resource stewardship.