A team of engineers led by Xingbo Liu from West Virginia University has developed a pioneering fuel cell that can both store and produce electricity, generate hydrogen from water, and operate effectively in high-temperature and steam environments. The new design, known as a protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC), aims to tackle instability issues seen in current fuel cell technologies, offering a promising solution for enhancing the resilience of the U.S. electrical grid. By utilizing a 'conformally coated scaffold' design with stable electrocatalyst layers, the new cell demonstrated remarkable endurance, running for over 5,000 hours at 600 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity – a significant advancement compared to previous models. The project, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, has been recognized with the DOE Hydrogen Production Technology Award, highlighting its potential impact on the energy sector. Moving forward, the researchers plan to collaborate with the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization to bring this innovative technology to the market for widespread implementation.