NanoXplore Inc. (TSX: GRA, OTCQX: NNXPF) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, VoltaXplore Inc., has established an advisory board and appointed Jonathan Blanshay as its first member, according to a press release.

Blanshay is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Galvion Inc., a defence company that designs and delivers head systems, power and data management solutions, and soldier systems. NanoXplore said the advisory board is intended to provide strategic guidance as VoltaXplore advances its battery manufacturing strategy.

NanoXplore President and CEO Rocco Marinaccio cited Blanshay's defence industry relationships and experience with soldier power needs as reasons for the appointment. "He understands how defence customers evaluate and adopt new technology, and he has deep relationships across defence organizations in Canada, the United States and allied nations," Marinaccio said.

In a statement, Blanshay said building cylindrical-cell manufacturing capacity in Canada carries strategic value for the country and its allies. "Defence customers also need secure, dependable supply chains and technologies that can be produced at scale," he said.

VoltaXplore manufactures silicon-graphene-enhanced lithium-ion batteries targeting the energy storage, industrial, and defense markets. NanoXplore describes itself as a graphene powder manufacturer with up to 5,000 tonnes of annual production capacity.