Hello Everyone!
We are so excited to unveil our endgame-changing set ever, EPBT Decently Acceptable!
Introducing EPBT Decently Acceptable, designed by Peach_keys and lettuce_keebs, inspired by EPBT Less but Better. We were so inspired by the set that we wanted… to be more decently acceptable!
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Estimated Price Point: $89

• Material: PBT material
• Profile: Cherry Profile 1-1-2-3-4-4
• Production Method: Dye-sublimated
• Total Keys: Around 117 keys
• Manufacturer: ePBT
• Friendly Reminds: Only Keycaps included, no keyboard

Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and MX-style clones

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==Simulacra===
Type: Volt - Fortitude
Simulacra: Yuno
Weapon: Proteus
-Shatter: 10.50
-Charge: 14.00
-Attack 18
-HP 1165
-Crit 14
​
==Skill==
-Fortitude Resonance: Cry of Weakness: Holding down the skill continually taunts nearby enemies and deal bonus shatter damage for up to 3 seconds and applying 1 mark of Predation to each enemy every 0.5 seconds. Upon releasing the skill, a magnetic needle substitute is made for 2 seconds times the duration held plus 1 to which aggro is temporarily transferred until expiration. Enemies that attack the substitute are taunted and receive 0.1x reflected damage. Become invisible for 4 seconds or until the Wanderer attacks an enemy or the substitute expires. While invisible, movement speed is increased by 35%, dodges cover twice the distance in the same time, and the next attack that hits a target deals +100% shatter damage and weakens the target's ATK by 15% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 5 seconds x duration held + 10 (Max 25s).
-Non-Fortitude Resonance: Cry of Strength: Holding down the skill continually lowers aggro towards the Wanderer while dealing damage equal to 225% of ATK plus 12 per second for up to 3 seconds and applying 1 mark of Predation to each nearby enemy every 0.5 seconds. Upon releasing the skill, leap at the target with a horror beast claw, dealing dash attack damage equal to 418% of ATK plus 22 as a guaranteed crit with +30% crit damage and reducing the target's crit resistance by 5 levels for 10 seconds. Detonates any magnetic needle nodes touched by the attack independent of their cooldowns, each node dealing area damage equaling 76% of ATK plus 4, recovering 15 weapon charge per node detonated, and placing an additional node for 12 seconds. Cooldown: 2 seconds x duration held + 10 (Max 16s).
-Predation: Per mark up to 5 marks, enemies have crit resistance lowered by 2 levels and for critical hits taken: receive 1% more shatter and have 2% reduced elemental resistance. The Wanderer's movement speed increases by 3% per nearby mark active, up to 5 marks. Marks decay at a rate of 1 every 5 seconds.
​
==Discharge==
-Fortitude Resonance: Unbreakable Will: When weapon charge is full or Phantasia is triggered, switching to this weapon from another weapon removes all debuffs from the wielder and constructs a metal plate wall that stops projectiles for 5 seconds while dispersing magnetic needles into a ring which pulls in enemies towards the wall before scattering on the ground, reducing the movement speed of enemies within by 30% while dealing continuous damage equal to 76% of ATK plus 4 per second for 5 seconds with increased aggro generation. Damage immunity lasts 1.5 seconds while the skill is active (unavailable in Apex League).
-Non-Fortitude Resonance: Revenger's Requiem: Quickly leap to the target and slash multiple times, dealing total damage equal to 580% of ATK plus 31 and scattering 3 magnetic needle nodes for 12 seconds, max 7 on the field. Each node can be detonated by any volt weapon's electrify effect upon becoming fully charged, each dealing area damage equal to 76% of ATK plus 2 and recovering 15 weapon charge for each node detonated. Node detonation cooldown: 5 seconds. Damage immunity lasts 1.5 seconds while the skill is active (unavailable in Apex League).
​
1\*: While wielding Proteus, dodge attack damage that also critically hits applies a Predation mark and deals +20% crit damage and +25% shatter.
2\*: Increase the current weapon's base ATK growth by 16%.
3\*:
--Balance: For each mark of Predation active while wielding Proteus, dodging heals the Wanderer by 1% of max HP, reduces damage received by 1% for 3 seconds, and increases healing effect by 4% for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
--Fortitude: For each mark of Predation active, unleashing any skill or discharge heals the Wanderer by 1% of max HP and reduces damage taken by 2% for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 5 seconds. In addition, for each nearby mark of Predation active while wielding Proteus, a party member unleashing a skill heals the Wanderer by 1% of max HP. Cooldown: 5 seconds.
--Attack: For each magnetic needle node detonated while wielding Proteus, heal the Wanderer by 1% of max HP. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
--Benediction: For each magnetic needle node detonated, heal party members by 17.5% of ATK within triple the detonation radius and increases party ATK by 2% for 5 seconds for each mark of Predation active.
--Only the highest stack of marks is counted.
4\*: Increase the current weapon's base HP growth by 32%.
5\*: Enemies receive 1% more damage dealt by the Wanderer for each mark of Predation. While wielding Proteus, restore 4 weapon charge points for each nearby mark of Predation active per second. Only the highest stack of marks is counted.
6\*: Increase Predation max to 7. In addition, increase Crit Rate by 1% and Crit Damage by 2% for each mark of Predation active. Only the highest stack of marks is counted.
​
"Originally invented by Project Ark for testing on G2-U subjects to wield inhuman instincts by substituting missing limbs with electrically charged magnetic needles in their insane plan to elevate humanity, this Proteus has been modified to recharge mid-combat and utilize metal plates which can camouflage."
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==Normal Attack==
atk x5: While on the ground, attack 5 times.
-First Attack: Deal damage equal to 56.6% of ATK plus 3.
-Second Attack: Deal damage equal to 19.7% of ATK plus 1.
-Third Attack: Deal damage equal to 30%% of ATK plus 2.
-Fourth Attack: Deal damage equal to 47.1% of ATK plus 3.
-Fifth Attack: Deal damage equal to 136.8% of ATK plus 7 and strongly suspend the target.
jump + atk x3: While airborne, use normal attack to attack 3 times in a row in mid-air.
-First Attack: Deal damage equal to 107.9% of ATK plus 6.
-Second Attack: Deal damage equal to 114.0% of ATK plus 6.
-Third Attack: Launch the enemy at a nearby target or at the ground below if there is none, creating a shockwave upon landing that deals area damage equal to 142.8% of ATK plus 8 and stunning targets for 1 second. If the enemy cannot be launched, instead deal damage equal to 172.1% of ATK plus 9 and recover 100 energy weapon charge.
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hold: Fortitude Resonance: Tap and hold normal attack to take a defensive stance for up to 3 seconds, reducing damage taken by 20% and recovering 10 weapon energy charge per 1% of max HP lost while held. Releasing the normal attack button while holding a direction performs a dodge covering twice the distance in the same time. Releasing before getting hit performs the dodge at no cost, constructs a substitute for 2 seconds to which all aggro is transferred until expiration, and the Wanderer becomes invisible for 2 seconds or until the Wanderer attacks an enemy. If a dodge cannot be performed, instead cast the standing version of this skill. Releasing the normal attack button without holding a direction unleashes an area attack that deals damage equal to 167.3% of ATK plus 9. Releasing before getting hit doubles the damage reduction, energy recharge, and shatter damage, while applying a 0.2x damage reflection to the area attack.
hold: Non-Fortitude Resonance: Tap and hold normal attack to gather magnetic needle nodes on the field and place them in a line towards the target, each node dealing area damage equal to 38% of ATK plus 1 and refreshing their durations. This consumes 1 node.
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jump + hold: Tap and hold normal attack while airborne, or use normal attack while climbing, jumping backward, or using the Jetpack to trigger aerial branch attacks, to barrel downwards into the target with a horror beast form, dealing damage equal to 154.5% of ATK plus 8 damage, strongly suspending targets. The higher the altitude when triggering the attack, the greater the damage dealt, up to 600% damage.
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==Dodge==
dodge + atk: Tap normal attack during the short period after dodging. Let out a long and narrow projectile in sandworm form which penetrates the target and returns, dealing damage equal to 78.1% of ATK plus 4, and recovers HP and energy weapon charge proportional to total shatter damage dealt from critical hits. Restore up to 1 dodge if the attack shatters a target's shield. If Fortitude Resonance is activated and the Wanderer is invisible before attacking, taunt enemies hit. If Fortitude Resonance is not activated, detonate any magnetic needle nodes touched by the attack as if triggering electrify from fully charging a volt weapon, each node dealing area damage equaling 76% of ATK plus 4 and recovering 15 weapon charge per node detonated.
​
==Trait==
-Sixth Sense(1.2k): For every 1 second you or your substitute is targeted by an enemy, gain a stack of Adaptation which reduces damage received by 2%, increases resistance for the element last damaged with by 4%, and makes critical hits ignore elemental resistance by 2%, per stack up to 3 stacks. For every 1.5 seconds not targeted, lose 1 stack. Unleashing a skill with Proteus grants 3 stacks of Adaptation.
-Primal Instinct(4k): For every 1 second you or your substitute is targeted by an enemy, gain a stack of Adaptation which reduces damage received by 3%, increases resistance for the element last damaged with by 6%, and makes critical hits ignore elemental resistance by 3%, per stack up to 5 stacks. For every 1.5 seconds not targeted, lose 1 stack. While at 4 or more stacks, become immune to knockback on the ground and double the duration of Predation marks. Unleashing a skill with Proteus grants 5 stacks of Adaptation.
​
==Matrices==
-2-piece set: Increase Crit Rate by 5/6/7/8% and Crit Damage by 7/8/9/10%. Taunting an enemy reduces its crit resistance by 2/3/4/5 levels for 3 seconds. This Matrix's effects work in the off-hand slot, but only the set with the highest star rating will take effect.
-4-piece set: Increases speed of obtaining weapon charge by 12/13%/14%/15% plus 2% for each magnetic needle node on the field. For every 1% of max HP lost, recover 5 weapon energy charge. In addition, for every 200 weapon charge recovered, deal volt damage equal to 7/8/9/10% ATK to nearby enemies. This Matrix's effects work in the off-hand slot, but only the set with the highest star rating will take effect.
​
==Character Background==
Log 1: Yuno, formerly known as Subject G2-U No.7, was born into the secret laboratory under Project Ark in the outskirts of Vera. On the surface, Project Ark aimed to conserve wildlife. Underneath, its true aim was to store the DNA of every creature into a human's to elevate humanity into the pinnacle of evolution and true apex of nature while obtaining the scientific freedom to exterminate all threatening species once stored. Comprised of 12 scientists and 36 miscellaneous staff, in secret they gave birth to 18 children to be used as the first generation test subjects. 12 designated G1-O subjects under the Overlay method of fusing animal parts to learn and integrate the DNA directly, and 6 designated G1-U under the Underlay method of injecting various substances such as blood and hormones to restructure the body instinctually as it grows. All G1-O subjects died, 4 of which died of surgical complications, 3 were hostile, and 2 were abducted by their defected parents and subsequently disposed of. 3 G1-U subjects died of poison-like symptoms and 3 survived with no apparent differences other than prominent hair growth and confused neurological behavior. Afterwards, 9 scientists and 28 staff remained, giving birth to the second generation of 16, 4 designated G2-O with significantly reduced fusions and 10 designated G2-U with varying degrees of raised injection levels and antibodies alongside the newly invented complementary equipment designed to wield prominent instinctive behavior in their intended form without physical complications, a fabric resembling a fur coat named Proteus. Proteus utilized magnetic needles attached to areas closest to the nervous system and used a battery to extend the instinct-induced neurological signals sent to the detachable needles to form substitutes for the missing limbs, taking from needle reserves located on the cuffs and collar when necessary. Of the 4 G2-O subjects, 2 couldn't move their fused limbs and were deemed failures, 1 became completely paralyzed and disposed of, and 1 showed remarkable success, becoming the focus of the project in preparation for G3-O. G2-O No.3 had little strength but had enhanced hearing and could pick up objects with his tail. Most of the G2-U subjects, however, showed hostility almost immediately after integrating enough with Proteus to form a weapon as if their minds were taken over by feral instincts and now had a fighting chance against their captors. Of the 10 G2-U's, 7 met their end this way, 2 were defiant but weak and thus kept until the final weeks of generation 2 to provide data for G3-U, and 1 strangely showed no signs of defiance nor reaction from Proteus. This was strange because G2-U No.7 received the strongest DNA injections. Because of his obedience, G2-U No.7 was allowed to work as manual labor while the project focused on G2-O No.3. What they didn't know was it wasn't that G2-U No.7 didn't possess the instincts he was given, it was that the first instinct he awakened to was one that let him foresee his death and adapt to the situation, becoming obedient and feigning weakness as well as internally mastering Proteus during each "failed" test. Eventually, G2-U No.7 developed enough affinity with Proteus to use his own hair and other metals as a substitute for the magnetic needles with or without Proteus, as long as they were connected by electricity. It was nearing the time in which the generation 3 phase of the project begins and G2-U No.7 could foresee the imminent death of generation 2. With each day he planted hidden hairs and metal plates in rooms, and once he had enough, he initiated his escape plan. First required getting G2-O No.3's cooperation. One night, G2-U No.7 tied together numerous strands of hair and with the small amount of electricity afforded to him with a night light he had innocently requested the week prior, he made this long thread travel through the air vents, as if it itself was a sandworm, into G2-O No.3's soundproofed room that he was almost never allowed to leave from, and constrict G2-O No.3's pinky until it dislocated. With this, G2-O No.3 would be taken out of his soundproofed room in the morning and put into the medical bay to treat his injury, and he can establish communication during the day he is tasked to clean the adjacent room. Whispering as to not be heard by security cameras, G2-U No.7 told him of their imminent death once generation 3 is born soon, and if he wants to prevent that, he has to follow through with a plan not yet disclosed. As the discussion is only one-way, agreement was decided on whether he lies to his escort by saying he could hear someone injured in the Proteus testing room as he's being escorted back. Evidently, the agreement was made. Just as G2-U No.7 heared footsteps toward that direction, he once again took out his long thread of hair, but this time he pretended to accidentally bump into the security camera while cleaning it, exposing the wires. With a lethal amount of electricity now, he quickly extended the thread across the room and into the hallway towards the Proteus testing room, reaching the door faster than the escort and connecting to the 2 strands of hidden hair on the sides of the door at neck height. As soon as the escort opened the door and tried walking through but instead came into contact with the thread, all of the siphonable electricity was channeled into it, killing the escort and shutting down the camera system. This was the moment he secretly trained his legs every night for. With the speed augmented by his strong saber-toothed wolf DNA, he rushed across the room, down the hall, and through the door before it closed, dragging the escort's body in with him. With the keycard he now possessed, he quickly unlocked and equipped Proteus just in time before the facility went into lockdown. But now with Proteus which he already mastered and a full battery, he easily ripped open the door with his horror beast claws formed by the magnetic needles. Then once he left the room, he picked up the couple hidden metal plates in the hall, attached them to his arms as shields, then sent out the rest of the magnetic needles to find and detonate with electricity each hidden strand of hair that was placed near lights and communications equipment, providing the cover of darkness for him to slip through the approaching armed guards. He stealthily killed each person nearby as he collected every metal plate to attach to Proteus and complete his defensive armor against the remaining guards and turrets he knew were waiting at the exit. As he finished, he met G2-O No.3. Being the kindhearted pacifist the staff raised him to be so he would obediently offer himself up as research material for generation 3, G2-O No.3 pleaded for him to stop killing everyone. The mind that was more human than monster remained unaware and manipulated into choosing his parents who gave him fake love. But to G2-U No.7 whose mind was only half human, he still saw G2-O No.3 as his only surviving comrade, the only one he could consider a friend despite their only previous conversation being one-sided. If only he could see the fakeness and lies, he could abandon these true monsters, even *if* they are his parents. With little time to talk, G2-U No.7 simply refused and headed to the exit, bluffingly threatening to kill him as well if he tries to stop him. As he turned the corner, he's met with the expected remaining guards and turrets, but suprisingly 2 scientists who didn't flee. They were G2-O No.3's biological parents. What's more, they didn't attack yet, as if they were waiting for something. G2-O No.3 then came into the room and the parents tell him that G2-U No.7 is about to kill them, his loving parents, and that he needs to protect them by killing. This was a desperate attempt at a pincer attack, but it was a useless effort, for they raised their child to be so pacifistic that no suddenly developed instinct could lead him to harm them. This would turn out well, G2-U No.7 thought, as G2-O No.3 would either be too afraid to take action or deal insignificant damage, but the worst case happened that G2-U No.7 couldn't have expected: he instead put himself between them and pleaded for G2-U No.7 to be spared and the fighting to stop. He had chosen not just his human parents but also a murderous half-monster as equals. Could he only see everyone here as redeemable humans? Could he have believed G2-U No.7's words because he couldn't imagine that anybody would lie? Distracted by the shock of seeing what transpired, G2-U No.7 couldn't react in time before the scientists took the first shot, killing G2-O No.3 who was in the way. Enraged at the betrayal of the greatest kindness he had seen in his life, G2-U No.7 lunged at them, indulging in his primal instincts as he ripped them apart in an act of pure predation. With him being the only survivor inside the lab, only he could hear the sorrowful cries he let out as the only person who treated him as a human died before him. This was also the first time he awakened to his gooseneck beast instincts, as it was only then he was allowed to express the feelings of strength in overcoming his enemies and weakness in losing what he desired to protect. If he would ever have something worth protecting again, he would protect it with everything he had without hesitation. G2-U No.7: escaped, age 6. G2-O No.3: deceased, age 6. Project Ark: mysteriously abandoned.
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Log 2: As a monster who is a chimera of human, sandworm, saber-toothed wolf, horror beast, shielded beast, and gooseneck beast, the now free G2-U No.7 knew he could survive anywhere but wouldn't belong anywhere. And so, clinging onto the feeling of being treated as a human and the hope that he can meet someone like that again, he snuck onto a cargo ship and into Mirroria, a place where, strangely, his first thought upon arrival was that his friend would've complained how noisy it was. With a lonesome life in the shadows of Mirroria scavenging for food and electricity and running from M-SEC waiting for him, and with the hope of meeting a friend one day, he spent his new life being both the phantom protector of Mirroria and the phantom thief, who not even Captain Saki Fuwa could manage to catch in the end. 4 years pass, G2-U No.7, age 10, finds his life comfortable. Despite not yet finding a friend, being known as both a human-like protector and monster-like thief best suits him. Not even his instinctive foresight could warn him of how his comfortable life would get upturned by another beast in human form. One day in typical fashion, he would steal an unattended piece of food, but this time it wasn't merely a half eaten sandwich, it was a whole pizza! He swiftly snatched it and retreated to the rooftops to eat it in peace, but just as he was about to finish the last piece, a scream could be heard where he had stolen the pizza. It wasn't a fully human scream either--it had an intimidating sense of feral power behind it. Slightly unnerved, he hopped down and wandered off into the back alleys to not get involved. But he could hear footsteps follow him, even though he took secret passages and moved in full stealth that was impossible for humans to hear. It was as if he was being tracked by scent, which should also be impossible for humans. Surprised at how long the chase had gone on, he had forgotten about how much battery was left in Proteus, and when he hit a dead end, it was run dry and he couldn't scale the high wall. The determined creature finally caught up, but what appeared from the shadows was merely a girl with silver hair and 2 dogs. They only appeared small and harmless until he looked into the girl's eyes and for the third time in his life foresaw his imminent death, for he was powerless before her overwhelming power without Proteus nor a nearby power source. His only option was to play dead the moment she hit him. The last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was being yelled and barked at while being incessantly kicked despite playing dead. When he awoke inside a cozy room, the same monstrously intimidating girl stood before him and asked him if anything was broken, where his parents were, and his name. Up until then, he only had one name, the horrid name given by a group of monsters to treat him as an expendable tool, but it was also the only thing he had left to remember his only friend by. So with a tone of certainty and pride in what he is, he responded "Yuno." It was only later that Yuno found out the girl was only forced to care for his wounds by her caretaker so people wouldn't find out she beat up a kid and ruin her fresh public image. But that minor detail didn't matter--he once again felt like he was treated as a human, and if someone like her can belong here out in the open, then so can he. Although quite young, after hearing about his speed and skills, the girl's caretaker found him work at M-SEC and cared for under Saki Fuwa, who simply sighed at the sight of him as if she lost a race. Because he's too young to be publicly employed and his fighting is a bit unorthadox, he continues his role as the phantom protector but this time embracing his monster side where the phantom thief once occupied. Having Proteus repaired from years of neglect, extended to fit his growing body, and upgraded to collect energy mid-combat and to enable the armor plates to camouflage, this marks a turning point in his life. Ironically, with the same instincts he foresaw his death as a monster with, he now foresees his future as one where he is human and full of life. He will live as the kind of redeemable human his first friend saw in him, and he will protect everyone who gave him a chance and accepted him.
​
==Trivia==

1. "Project Ark" references Noah's Ark, the vessel used in the biblical event in which pairings of every animal were loaded onto the boat to save them from extinction due to a great flood. Just as the great flood decimated all but the surviving handful of animals, Project Ark sought to eradicate all but the creatures they would store within humans.
   
2. Proteus is a prophetic old man in Greek mythology who could shapeshift and knew all things past, present, and future, and would only tell what he knew after being successfully caught. Because he could shapeshift into anything, he became regarded as a symbol of the original matter from which the world was created. Through the use of the equipment Proteus, Yuno could use the knowledge of the past within his library of DNA to construct weapons, complemented by his refined adaptation instinct to analyze the present and perceive his future survival. After being caught by Fenrir, he answered what she wished to know: his name.
   
3. "Yuno" as a Japanese word/phrase can be written many ways in kanji and thus have various meanings. For "yu" this includes "friend," "help," "kindness," "connect," and "origin" among other meanings. For "no" this includes "wish/desire," "field," and "wild" among other meanings.
   
4. "Ono," which would have been G2-O No.3's name had he survived, as a Japanese word/phrase written in kanji means "small field" but is often confused with "Ōno" meaning "large field." Confined within the small labratory and kept in his soundproof room, he never knew such a large world existed.
   
5. Today is April Fools' Day.
   

As I was writing this I decided maybe I'd share it.

#NIOCORP~NIOBIUM BATTERIES, TITANIUM, CRITICAL MINERALS & MORE... KICK OFF APRIL 1st 2023!

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MARCH 31, 2023 Treasury Releases Guidance to Drive Investment in Critical Minerals & Battery Supply Chains in America

Treasury Releases Guidance to Drive Investment in Critical Minerals & Battery Supply Chains in America Clean Energy The White House
Today, the Department of Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released new guidance to clarify how manufacturers may satisfy the critical mineral and battery component requirements of the clean vehicle tax credit introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Treasury’s new notice of proposed rulemaking marks a critical step towards building our clean energy future while honoring our “Made in America” commitments.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains focused on investing in America, revitalizing American manufacturing and establishing secure supply chains for critical minerals and battery components here at home. Since the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, over $45 billion in battery investments across at least 75 facilities have been announced across all segments of the domestic battery supply chain, ranging from the extraction of critical minerals to the manufacturing of battery packs. Treasury’s new guidance ensures that the tax credits introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act will continue to drive unprecedented investment in American manufacturing and drive the creation of tens of thousands of high-paying, high-quality jobs.

The Biden-Harris Administration also remains committed to building the American economy from the bottom up and the middle out, and the new clean vehicle tax credits have been designed to ensure that clean vehicles are accessible to all Americans and targeted at the middle-class and hardworking families. With today’s new guidance, Treasury and IRS have also released an updated set of FAQS to help taxpayers determine whether they are eligible for up to a $7,500 tax credit towards a new clean vehicle. These FAQs provide consumers with information on eligibility requirements, including household income limitations and vehicle price caps, as well as detailed instructions on determining whether vehicle models are eligible under the updated critical minerals and battery component requirements.
After the release of today’s new guidance, manufacturers will provide Treasury and IRS with an updated list of eligible vehicles by April 18, 2023. On that date, FuelEconomy.gov will contain a list of eligible clean vehicles that manufacturers have indicated to the IRS will meet the requirements to claim the new clean vehicle credit. This list will continue to be updated promptly as manufacturers continue to provide more information on vehicle eligibility.
Today’s announcement ensures that the clean vehicle credit provided by the Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs for consumers, revitalize our industrial base, and spur manufacturing here at home. We encourage you to learn more about all of the ways that the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax incentives can help to lower your household’s energy and transportation costs in 2023 and beyon
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NIOBIUM ~MARCH 29, 2023 ~CBMM bets on batteries for electric vehicles Por Ivo Ribeiro — São Paulo

World’s largest producer of niobium items will increase its budget to R$340m in 2023 from R$260m

Metals, Mineral Resources & Recycling (sojitzamericas.com)
The Brazilian company CBMM, a world leader in the production and supply of niobium products, continues to focus on its plan to diversify the metal’s applications and generate new business. The electric mobility market (vehicles powered by electric batteries) is the big niche at the moment, but there are others such as electronics and nanomaterials — which are more efficient.
Controlled by the Moreira Salles family, one of the shareholders of Itaú Unibanco, the company created in 1955 to explore the vast niobium deposits near the municipality of Araxá, in Minas Gerais, is increasing its spending on research and development.
CBMM will increase its annual budget to R$340 million in 2023 from R$260 million, of which almost R$100 million will be intended for the electric battery program, says Ricardo Lima, CEO since July 1 last year, after four years in charge of technology and new business.
According to Mr. Lima, the company is developing 41 projects focused on batteries for electric vehicles. Two of them are well developed, already in an advanced testing phase — one with Japan’s Toshiba and another with Volkswagen Trucks and Buses to supply niobium material for a generation of electric buses.
In battery production, niobium in the form of oxides is used for both cathode and anode production in some types of batteries whose base element is lithium.
To meet the demand of battery manufacturers, CBMM is building a 3,000-tonne per year niobium oxide plant in Araxá with an investment of $80 million. The current investment program in oxides within the company is estimated at R$1.2 billion.
This reflects the importance of this new business to the company. It is expected to account for 25% of its niobium sales by the end of this decade, equivalent to 35,000 tonnes. Last year, CBMM sold 88,000 tonnes, of which 80,200 tonnes were ferroniobium (its flagship product, used in steelmaking) and 8,000 tonnes were specialty products (several alloys for highly sophisticated applications).
The big challenge is to develop the niobium market, which is concentrated in steel production and still has a lot of room for growth, says Rodrigo Amado, chief strategy and new business officer.
The company is increasing its investment in research and development programs as part of its strategy to expand metal’s applications. This year, the company increased its spending on programs to R$340 million from R$260 million, of which R$94 million is intended for the area of batteries for electric vehicles. CBMM already has advanced projects with the Japanese company Toshiba (undergoing tests on cars in Japan) and with VW in Brazil, which involves the production of electric buses in the Resende (Rio de Janeiro) unit.

Mr. Lima says there are 41 projects related to batteries. By the end of the decade, it is expected that 25% (or 35,000 tonnes) of niobium will be produced for this application. The use in the production of steel, via niobium iron, is still the flagship of the company — 80,000 tonnes in 2022, most of it purchased by China. Without considering this part of R&D, the company is investing another R$700 million this year in the conclusion of a new oxide plant and at the beginning of the installation of a large tailings disposal plant. The company grossed R$10.95 billion last year, with a R$4.52 billion profit.

(Sounds Like a U.S. Source of NIOBIUM might come in HANDY!??)

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~FROM THE APRIL 2023 ADDITION OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY NIOBIUM & TITANIUM ARE ON THE MOVE:~

Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers Home-Rapid publication of high quality research in inorganic chemistry Editor-in-chief: Song GaoImpact factor: 7.779Time to first decision (peer reviewed only): 27 daysOpen access publishing options available (rsc.org)
See the following Abstracts:

Synergy of oxygen defects and structural modulation on titanium niobium oxide with constructed conductive network for high-rate lithium-ion half/full batteries

Dy3+ doped (K,Na)NbO3-based multifunctional ceramics for achieving enhanced temperature-stable piezoelectricity and non-contact optical temperature sensing performance

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COMING TTO NEW YORK U.S. IN JUNE 2023

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Critical Minerals & Energy Investment North America June 2023, New York (criticalmineralsnorthamerica.com)

Critical Minerals & Energy Investment North America Conference and Exhibition is the only event in Americas dedicated to critical minerals sector discussing all aspects of exploration opportunities for traditional and emerging commodities, investment strategies, development of new technologies from mobile phones to fighter jets, critical infrastructure, transport, security & renewable energy and expansion of downstream processing to meet future global demand.
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The Governments of Canada and United States are developing National Critical Minerals Strategies that focus on supporting domestic critical mineral and material supply chains in order to reduce dependency on other countries including China, where 90% of rare earths and 60% of lithium are processed. Supporting supply chain diversification and security of supply is of paramount importance. The event looks at key elements to responsible sourcing and processing, recycling, green investment economy, as well as hydrogen that plays a crucial role in the global energy market’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
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We anticipate 250 senior level executives, including over 35 mining companies ranging from explorers, juniors to
mid-tier producers, majors and processors for two days of partnering, networking and business matching.
Join us at an invaluable platform to get access to agenda covering latest industry issues, exhibition floor as well as
1-2-1 meeting matching tool for new partnerships & business opportunities including: Presentation Opportunities & Panel Discussions, Luncheon, Networking Drinks, Bespoke Event Partnership & Sponsorship Options.
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FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE:

(Interesting Synergies! IMHO)

OCTOBER 2021 Volkswagen Truck and Bus and CBMM To Develop Niobium Battery for EV's

Volkswagen Truck and Bus and CBMM To Develop Niobium Battery for EV Power Systems Research

SEPT. 2022 ~PowerCo and Umicore establish joint venture for European battery materials production~

PowerCo and Umicore establish joint venture for European battery materials production (volkswagenag.com)

MARCH 24, 2023 VOLKSWAGEN & POWERCO & UMICORE OBTAIN FULL REGULATORY APPOVAL FOR EU BATTERY MATERIALS PRODUCTION

Volkswagen’s PowerCo and Umicore obtain full regulatory approval for EU battery materials production - Green Car Congress

PowerCo and Umicore establish joint venture for European battery materials production (volkswagenag.com)
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MARCH 13, 2023 ~ Is Niocorp still engaged with "Several Federal Agencies" other than the EXIM Bank as sources for "Debt" or Off-take agreements? Comment if you can...?

Response: ~ "Yes, multiple federal agencies, elected officials in the Congress, and the WH. "!!

(SOME ENTITY/S HAVE GOTTA WANT SOME U.S. MINED & PROCESSED NIOBIUM, SCANDIUM TITANIUM & RARE EARTHS!!!! IMHO)

A NICE READ WITH COFFEE THIS MORNING!

Titanium Today, 2nd Edition 2022 by TITANIUMTODAY - Issuu
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How can you tell when April is happy?

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"It has a spring in its step."

Waiting with many for material news as it becomes available!

Go TEAM NIOCORP!

Chico

If you're looking to transform your kitchen into a space that better meets your needs and reflects your personal style, kitchen remodeling can be an exciting and rewarding project. Whether you're looking to update your appliances, change your cabinetry, or create a more open floor plan, kitchen remodeling can give your home a fresh new look and feel.
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Kitchen Remodeling in Putnam County

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Focus on functionality:

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Choose the right materials:

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Don't forget about lighting:

Lighting is an often-overlooked aspect of kitchen remodeling, but it can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your space. Make sure to include a variety of lighting options, including overhead lighting, task lighting, and ambient lighting. This will help you create a warm and inviting space that's also functional and easy to use.

Plan for the future:

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If you tired of your outdated kitchen and ready for a fresh new look? Look no further than our kitchen remodeling services in Putnam County! Our team of expert designers and contractors will work with you every step of the way to bring your dream kitchen to life. From modernizing your appliances to creating a more functional layout, we have the expertise to make your vision a reality. Don't settle for a subpar kitchen any longer. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your kitchen remodeling project!

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