Pure Resources (ASX: PR1) has entered into a sponsored collaboration with Rice University in Texas to research and develop advanced thermal management systems based on carbon nanotube fibre (CNTF) heat sink architectures.
The collaboration will focus on the evaluation of CNTF materials for high-performance cooling applications used in hyperscale AI data centres, advanced electronics, and defence systems.
It will also target structural bottlenecks to unlock next-generation performance in the same end-uses.
The Pure team will be backed by Rice University’s critical minerals and materials science capability which has been previously validated through technology partnerships with Metallium (ASX: MTM) and Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY).
Garnet Hills Samples
The new collaboration will utilise graphite and carbon samples from Pure’s Garnet Hills project in Western Australia.
From these they will generate intellectual property and technical data points to assist in determining potential commercial applications for high-grade industrial garnet and high-quality flake graphite.
Recent petrographic studies have confirmed the presence of large to jumbo flake graphite at Garnet Hills, with typical flake sizes averaging 200 micrometers, supporting strong beneficiation and premium pricing potential.
The graphite is reported to be clean, inclusion-free, and hosted in high-grade metamorphic rocks, positioning the project as a technically compelling hard-rock graphite opportunity with viable material for use in the Rice collaboration.
Advanced Engineered Carbon
Graphite and carbon materials form the foundation of a rapidly expanding advanced materials ecosystem underpinning next-generation energy, electronics, and AI infrastructure.
CNTF represents one of the most advanced forms of engineered carbon, combining high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength with lightweight structural properties which are increasingly sought after in high-performance applications.
The Rice collaboration gives Pure an opportunity to explore how its graphite exposure can help it participate in higher-value carbon materials markets.
“With the thermal management market now surpassing $100 billion, it has become the bottleneck for AI computing and next-generation defence technologies—traditional metal heat sinks are reaching the limits of their capabilities,” non-executive chair Quinton Meyers said.
“CNTF systems enable directional heat management through recyclable textile-enabled 3D architectures that are not achievable with traditional metal machining.”
“It is an exciting opportunity for us to use graphite samples from Garnet Hills for the research and development of this cutting-edge technology.”
$3m Equity Placement
Pure Resources has received firm commitments for an equity placement to raise $3 million for exploration and drilling campaigns across its WA portfolio.
Subject to shareholder approval at a meeting next month, the company will issue a total of 12 million shares priced at $0.25 each.
Funds will be directed towards follow-up exploration and drilling at Garnet Hills, as well as exploration of the Kilarney, Mt Monger, Yandal, and Yundamindra projects, and advancement of metallurgical and beneficiation studies relating to Pure’s carbon downstream strategy initiatives including the Rice collaboration.
The equity placement follows a $1.7m raising in December to advance Garnet Hills.
