New US fuel cell makes power, stores energy, and produces hydrogen

Engineers at West Virginia University have developed a novel protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC) fuel cell that operates stably for over 5,000 hours at 600°C and 40% humidity, significantly outperforming previous models that lasted less than 2,000 hours. This advanced fuel cell uses a unique “conformally coated scaffold” (CCS) structure that enhances durability by improving electrode–electrolyte bonding and resisting steam-induced degradation. The design allows the cell to efficiently generate electricity and hydrogen through water electrolysis while also storing energy, making it highly adaptable for modern power grids reliant on intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind. The CCS-based system demonstrates seamless switching between fuel cell and electrolysis modes during prolonged cycles, addressing the critical need for flexible energy conversion and storage in grids managing variable energy inputs. Key innovations include the incorporation of barium ions to improve proton conduction and water retention, and nickel ions to maintain structural stability at scale. Additionally, the system’s