University of Alberta chemist turns ocean water into an abundant hydrogen source [View all]

University of Alberta chemist turns ocean water into an abundant hydrogen source

Patented technology now licensed by a Canadian company could change how the world powers everything from heavy industry to remote communities.

University of Alberta | Michael Brown | April 23, 2026

While most people look at the ocean and see a beautiful sunset or a place to swim, University of Alberta chemistry professor Steve Bergens looks at the saltwater and the energy from the waves, tides, wind and sun, and sees an endless supply of fuel.

Bergens and his team have patented a process that creates hydrogen from water, including seawater. The technology, which has now been licensed by the Canadian company Cipher Neutron, could change how the world powers everything from heavy industry to remote communities.

Hydrogen is often discussed as a fuel of the future, but Bergens points out that it is already the foundation of our modern world.

“Hydrogen is everywhere. Now. It is the lifeblood of the economy,” says Bergens. “You need it to make gasoline, you need it to make fertilizer, you need it to make vegetable oil, methanol, it’s used for fuel. It’s everywhere. And so making hydrogen efficiently, at a low cost without waste, has got to be one of the most important problems that everybody’s working on.” more>
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2026/04/u-of-a-chemist-turns-ocean-water-into-an-abundant-hydrogen-source.html

Highly Active Electrochemical Hydrogen Production from Water Using CaTiO3 Loaded with Cu2−xO
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11244-024-02018-3?