Based on what we know about ZEN's Albany graphite is is not surprising that DOE's ORNL wants to use it for work to produce better and cheaper LiIon batteries.

1) There is a known resource which could supply NA car producers for decades

2) The product can be purified to 99.95% or better with simple, cheap and envirnmentally friendly purification methods.

3) The material properties are ideal for battery use (see my last post)

http://agoracom.com/ir/Zenyatta/forums/discussion/topics/623347-ornl-scientist-on-reducing-battery-costs/messages/1953750#message

4) High calibre management and Canadian government support

If any thing above makes you think that Albany graphite will also be sold cheaply I encourage you to think again, it won't be. Why? because it is too precious and it will already reduce costs through its use and properties:

A) Reducing the need for binders thus reducing costs. Binders can cost up to 40% of the cost of the anode. Also reduceing or eliminating binders will enable the charge density to be higher with the same weight and volume of material, which increases the charge storage capacity of the anode.

B) Reduction in binder also reduces the need for solvents in manufacturing and will help to move to aqueous processing thus also reducing costs of solvent, safety and recovery processes needed.

Make no mistake everyone wants graphite with the properties of the Albany deposit discovered by ZEN. We will be astonished by demand IMHO.