Advancing a Canadian discovery: The nano-catalyst changing cleantech 

The challenge: Rethinking how hydrogen can be produced from simple, accessible materials 

In 2022, University of Alberta chemistry researcher Dr. Robin Hamilton was searching for a better way to convert bitumen to synthetic crude oil when he unintentionally stumbled upon a chemical reaction that seemed unbelievable: simply putting a low-cost, non-toxic, and plentiful material in water caused hydrogen to bubble to the surface at room temperature. 

This discovery presented an opportunity to create an innovative solution with applications in hydrogen production, plastics recycling, wastewater treatment, solid-state batteries, and more. 

The solution: Turning an unexpected discovery into applied, industry-ready innovation 

To explore the full potential of the discovery, Dr. Hamilton co-founded Dark Matter Materials Inc., a spin-off of nanomaterial manufacturer Applied Quantum Materials (AQM), alongside AQM CEO Dr. David Antoniuk and University of Alberta professors Drs. Jeff Stryker and Jonathan Veinot. 

Their made-in-Canada nano catalyst has multiple applications: producing hydrogen and ammonia, supporting recycling of polyester towards a more circular economy, powering solid-state batteries, and breaking down plastics such as PVC, nylon, polyethylene, Teflon, and Kevlar. The material can even treat oilsands tailings pond water while generating hydrogen as a fuel byproduct. 

“We’re amazed at what this material can do,” said Antoniuk, whose team has successfully filed two patents with three more pending. “It’s breaking all the boundaries and limitations of thermocatalytic water splitting that have been around for decades, and the real beauty is there’s no need for expensive critical minerals or high energy, and no release of harmful greenhouse gas emissions in any of our processes.” 

The outcome: Creating clean energy and circular-economy applications across sectors 

Dark Matter Materials has successfully demonstrated the versatility of its catalyst, which can generate hydrogen from any water source (including tap, grey water, and oilsands tailings ponds). It also converts waste cooking oil into diesel fuel and processes a wide variety of plastics into liquid hydrocarbons with no emissions. 

“The reality is, we have multiple viable paths to commercialization, and they’re all showing promise,” said Antoniuk. “The next step is to do the engineering required to put this discovery into a commercial system.” 

Another demonstration project showed the catalyst could create ammonia at low temperatures, enabling farmers to potentially convert slough water into fertilizer. 

Talent in Action: Furthering Canadian cleantech through research–industry collaboration 

Mitacs has played a key role in enabling the applied research needed to move Dark Matter Materials from discovery to development. By providing access to research talent, university labs, and applied expertise, Mitacs helped the team explore multiple applications of the catalyst while managing costs and technical risk. 

The company’s journey demonstrates how strategic early support can bridge cutting-edge research and commercialization, strengthen Canada’s clean-tech sector, and develop the next generation of skilled innovators. That impact is reflected in the experience of Dr. Mariana Vieira, a chemist and post-doctoral researcher working with Dark Matter Materials. 

“The Mitacs program helps to smooth the transition as I’m learning to deal with the different pace of industry where things can shift quickly and we need to adapt. I can clearly see how I’ve changed, learned, and grown a new skillset that is more geared to business.”

Dr. Mariana Vieira, Chemist and Post-doctoral researcher

About Mitacs  

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.   

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.   

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.   

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.