** Shares of Novonix NVX.AX rise 17.7% to A$0.075, on track for best session since November 25 if gains hold
** Hits highest level since September 5
** Battery materials co delivers first mass production sample of synthetic graphite to an unnamed top U.S. customer
** Adds that its Riverside facility in Tennessee will start mass production next year for its lead customer, Panasonic
** About 20.8 mln shares change hands, 2.9x the 30-day average of 7.1 mln
** Stock down nearly 32% YTD
(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)
((Jasmeenaraislam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))