Researchers at UCLA have achieved a significant breakthrough in extending the lifespan of hydrogen fuel cells, specifically targeting their application in long-haul trucking to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Led by Professor Yu Huang, the team has developed a new catalyst design that can extend the projected fuel cell catalyst lifespans to 200,000 hours, nearly seven times the U.S. Department of Energy's target for 2050. Published in Nature Nanotechnology, this research paves the way for the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology in heavy-duty vehicles such as long-haul tractor trailers. Heavy-duty trucks, though comprising only 5% of vehicles on the road, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas automobile emissions. Fuel cells, being lighter and more efficient than batteries, can offer a cleaner energy source for these vehicles. The new catalyst design shields platinum from degradation, ensuring long-term stability and high catalytic activity crucial for fuel cell performance. The UCLA team's innovative catalyst design has been tested through an accelerated stress test simulating years of real-world driving, showing a power loss of less than 1.1% after 90,000 voltage cycles. These results project fuel cell lifetimes exceeding 200,000 hours, surpassing the DOE's target for heavy-duty fuel cell systems. The technology holds great promise for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles, essential for reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency in the transportation sector. This advancement builds on UCLA's earlier success in developing fuel cell catalysts for light-duty vehicles, demonstrating a lifespan of 15,000 hours, nearly double the DOE's target. The Technology Development Group at UCLA has filed a patent for this groundbreaking catalyst design, emphasizing its potential impact on sustainable transportation and environmental conservation.