A research team at West Virginia University led by Xingbo Liu, a materials engineer, has created a groundbreaking fuel cell design capable of storing and producing electricity while generating hydrogen from water. This development aims to enhance the resilience and flexibility of modern electrical grids to accommodate fluctuating energy sources like solar and wind power. The fuel cell, known as a protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC), demonstrated exceptional performance in both energy storage and production modes during a 5,000-hour test at high temperatures and humidity. The team's innovative approach involved a 'conformally coated scaffold' design that maintained stability in steam, absorbed water, and allowed the smooth transfer of protons, heat, and electricity. By overcoming challenges such as weak connections between layers and poor proton conduction, the fuel cell proved its potential for industrial-scale applications. This research, led by Hanchen Tian and Wei Li, showcased the successful incorporation of barium and nickel ions to enhance water retention and stability in the fuel cell, enabling it to operate on water vapor, including saltwater or low-quality water. The promising results have attracted funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and recognition through the DOE Hydrogen Production Technology Award. Moving forward, the team plans to collaborate with the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization to explore the commercialization of their innovative fuel cell design. This project signifies a significant step towards advancing sustainable energy technologies and building resilient energy grids to meet the evolving demands of the modern energy landscape.