AI discovery for sustainable materials

Dunia

The fusion of AI and chemical robotics is reshaping the future of clean energy materials

Spotted: Almost half of all manufacturers feel that the demand for low-carbon products, services, and value chains comes directly from consumers, and this pressure only seems to be increasing. But, developing sustainable materials is an uphill battle, with the discovery and commercialisation process often stretching over decades.

For clean energy applications like green hydrogen, carbon capture, and advanced batteries, this lag is a major roadblock in tackling the climate crisis. A lag we cannot afford. By 2050, the market for electrochemical technologies alone – vital for energy storage and conversion – is projected to hit $1.5 trillion, yet innovation in this space remains slow. Enter Dunia, a Berlin-based startup rethinking how we discover materials for a greener future.

Founded in 2022 and supported by scientists from leading institutions like the University of Cambridge, University of Glasgow, and BCG, Dunia combines AI with robotics to accelerate materials discovery. Its “self-driving lab” integrates machine learning algorithms with automated chemical workflows to optimise the traditionally slow “design, make, test, analyse” (DMTA) cycle. Instead of relying on black-box AI models, Dunia uses proprietary quantum-chemistry-driven representations and datasets, allowing it to iterate rapidly while maintaining high-quality results.

Dunia’s immediate focus is on developing electrocatalysts for power-to-X applications, such as converting CO2 into valuable chemicals or enabling cost-effective production of green hydrogen. These breakthroughs could lower energy consumption in industrial processes, paving the way for scalable, carbon-neutral fuels and products. “We’re inspired by the urgency of the climate crisis – and the opportunity to solve it,” Co-founder and Managing Director Alexander Hammer explained to Springwise. “AI is the force multiplier that makes tackling climate-scale problems achievable. It lets us test thousands of ideas, learn from every result, and unlock innovations.”

Currently, Dunia is scaling its technology with $11.5 million in fresh funding from investors including Elaia, redalpine, and Anglo American. This backing, coupled with the startup’s industry-heavy advisory board, positions Dunia as a key player in the clean energy transition. Hammer emphasises the broader vision: “Shifting away from fossil fuels and building a circular economy is the biggest challenge of our generation. Innovation can build a business case for the energy transition and enable a better, greener chemical industry.”

Written By: Oscar Williams