INNOVATION
FJH: What Is Flash Joule Heating?
Unleashing Instantaneous Heat
Flash Joule Heating is an innovative technology that utilizes the principle of electrical resistance to generate intense heat within materials almost instantaneously.
This process involves passing a direct current through a material, where the resistance of the material itself converts electrical energy into heat energy. The result is a rapid increase in temperature, often exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius in milliseconds —
a phenomenon known as 'flashing'.
Applications
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Mining
Enhancing the recovery of metals from refractory ores and tailings.
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Mineral Processing
Significantly improved economics and sustainability from the recovery of metals.
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Recycling
Improving the efficiency of metal extraction from electronic waste and scrap materials such as recycled batteries.
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Materials Science
Enabling new approaches to processing and synthesizing advanced materials.

How Does It Work?
The Science Behind The Flash
When a direct current is applied to the material, the resistance of the material causes it to heat up rapidly due to the Joule effect.
This instantaneous heating triggers various physical and chemical transformations within the material.
These transformations can be particularly advantageous for metal recovery processes from ores (especially those that are refractory in nature and therefore more resistent to leaching) and waste materials.
So, Why Flash Joule Heating?
Flash Joule Heating technology represents a cutting-edge approach to metallurgical processes, offering rapid, efficient, and sustainable solutions for metal recovery and materials processing.
Its ability to achieve extremely high temperatures in milliseconds and induce beneficial transformations makes it a promising technology for the future of resource utilisation and environmental stewardship.
Explore how our implementation of Flash Joule Heating can transform your operations and contribute to a more sustainable future. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative solutions and how we can partner with you to achieve your goals.
Technology Ownership and Licensing
Flash Joule Heating technology was developed at Rice University, where it originated from research and innovation in materials science and engineering. The intellectual property rights and patents associated with FJH are owned by Rice University. This ownership signifies Rice University’s role as the originator and primary developer of the technology, leveraging its expertise and resources in advancing metallurgical processes.
Metallium has secured a licensing agreement from Rice University to utilize the Flash Joule Heating technology. This licensing arrangement allows Metallium to deploy and commercialize FJH for applications related to metal recovery from ores and waste materials.
Under this licensing agreement:
Technology Access: Metallium gains access to the proprietary knowledge, patents, and know-how related to Flash Joule Heating. This access enables Metallium to leverage the cutting-edge technology developed by Rice University for their specific applications in the mining and materials processing industries.
Commercialization Rights: The licensing agreement grants Metallium the rights to develop and commercialize products and processes based on Flash Joule Heating technology. This includes adapting and scaling the technology to meet industry demands for efficient and sustainable metal recovery solutions.
Collaborative Development: Often, such agreements involve collaboration between the licensor (Rice University) and the licensee (Metallium) to further refine and optimize the technology for specific industrial applications. This collaborative approach ensures that the technology continues to evolve and meet the evolving needs of the market.