About us

Blacksand Technology LLC and Heavystone Laboratory LLC are two separate spun-off companies from the University of Utah. Blacksand’s mission is to scale up and commercialize titanium technologies developed in partner with the team at the University of Utah guided by Professor Z. Zak Fang. In 2024, Blacksand successfully commercialized its entire portfolio of patented technologies, which spans from mineral processing to powder production and to final Ti alloy products, through its agreement with IperionX LLC. IperionX is engaged in full commercialization of the technologies to reshore the Ti supply chain to the US. Blacksand continues to pursue technological opportunities in the production of reactive metals, rare earth metals, and other metallurgical opportunities.

Heavystone Laboratory focused on cemented tungsten carbide, refractory metals, and ferrous metal powder and alloys. Heavystone successfully commercialized its functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide process technology through licensing of its patented technologies in the US, Europe, and China. Heavystone is now actively engaged in the development of process technologies for solid state steel making, i.e., the production of iron powder and steel products directly from concentrated minerals.