West Virginia University engineers have developed a fuel cell that can efficiently switch between storing or making electricity and generating hydrogen from water, providing a solution for the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. The protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC) design, led by researcher Xingbo Liu, features a conformally coated scaffold that enhances stability and performance under extreme industrial conditions. The technology demonstrated exceptional durability, operating for over 5,000 hours at high temperatures and humidity, outperforming previous designs in longevity and efficiency. The team's innovative approach addresses critical issues in current PCEC designs, such as instability in high steam environments and poor proton conduction. By incorporating a coated scaffold design with an electrocatalyst layer, the fuel cell can efficiently operate in both energy storage and production modes, offering a balance for a rapidly evolving power grid. The research, published in a Nature Energy paper, highlighted the successful performance of the fuel cell in electrolysis reactions and electricity production over extended periods. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the study has received the DOE Hydrogen Production Technology Award, indicating its significance in advancing energy technology. The next phase of the project involves collaboration with the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization to move towards commercializing the innovative fuel cell design, showcasing its potential for scaling up to industrial levels. The technology's ability to operate on water vapor, even from saltwater or low-quality water sources, further enhances its feasibility for large-scale applications, offering a promising solution for a sustainable and resilient power grid.