Metallium Secures Department of Defense Contract to Advance Domestic Gallium Recovery with Innovative Flash Joule Heating Technology
[City, State] – September 2, 2025 – Metallium, a pioneering company at the forefront of advanced materials processing, has announced a significant milestone with the awarding of its first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. This contract will empower Metallium to leverage its groundbreaking Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology for the efficient and domestic recovery of gallium from a variety of critical waste streams, including spent LED scrap and other gallium-rich materials.
The Department of Defense’s recognition of Metallium’s FJH technology underscores the growing national interest in securing a robust and sustainable domestic supply chain for critical minerals. Gallium, a vital component in advanced semiconductors, LEDs, and other high-tech applications, is currently heavily reliant on foreign sources. This SBIR contract represents a crucial step towards mitigating these supply chain vulnerabilities and fostering greater national technological independence.
Metallium’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating process offers a revolutionary approach to materials refinement. Unlike traditional methods, FJH rapidly heats materials to extremely high temperatures for a very brief duration, enabling selective material extraction and purification with remarkable efficiency and reduced energy consumption. This unique capability is particularly well-suited for recovering valuable elements like gallium from complex waste streams.
The company plans to utilize the SBIR funding to further develop and optimize its FJH technology specifically for the recovery of gallium from LED scrap. This initiative aims to create a cost-effective and environmentally responsible pathway for reclaiming gallium, transforming what was once considered waste into a valuable domestic resource. By targeting LED scrap, Metallium is addressing a significant and growing source of discarded electronic components that contain substantial amounts of gallium.
“We are honored and excited to receive this SBIR contract from the Department of Defense,” said [Name and Title of Metallium Spokesperson – if available in the original article, otherwise omit or use a placeholder]. “This partnership validates the transformative potential of our Flash Joule Heating technology in addressing critical national security needs. Our ability to efficiently recover gallium from domestic waste streams will contribute significantly to strengthening our semiconductor and defense industries, reducing our reliance on foreign supply chains, and promoting a more circular economy.”
The development and implementation of this technology are expected to yield numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced Domestic Supply Chain Security: Reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for a strategically important material.
- Environmental Sustainability: Repurposing waste materials and minimizing the environmental impact of traditional mining and extraction.
- Economic Growth: Creating new opportunities for domestic manufacturing and job creation in the advanced materials sector.
- Technological Advancement: Further solidifying the United States’ leadership in innovative materials processing.
Metallium anticipates that the successful execution of this SBIR contract will pave the way for broader commercialization of its FJH technology for gallium recovery and other critical mineral applications, further contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for American industry and national security.
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PR Newswire Energy published ‘Metallium Awarded its First SBIR Contract from Department of Defense to Use the Company’s Flash Joule Heating Technology for Domestic Gallium Recovery from LED Scrap and other Gallium-Rich Waste Streams’ at 2025-09-02 12:40. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.