Researchers make exciting breakthroughs in pursuit of futuristic fuel source: 'Significant advances in a promising technology'

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma "made significant advances in a promising technology" with two studies into hydrogen fuel production and energy storage.

According to a summary published on Tech Xplore, the works provides "a crucial step towards reliable and affordable solutions for hydrogen production and clean energy storage."

The first study, published in the journal Nature Synthesis, examined protonic ceramic electrochemical cells, or PCECs. While PCECs typically cannot maintain performance under the extreme conditions necessary for widespread commercial use, the research team found a new approach that essentially stabilizes them.

They did this by replacing a volatile element, cerium, with a manufactured version of the material instead. And this manufactured version remains stable at what Tech Xplore described as "record-low operating temperatures," which will in turn enable hydrogen fuel to "run efficiently under intense electrochemical conditions."

The team's second study, published in Nature Communications, looked at the oxygen electrode to enhance fuel cell performance. They did this by developing "a new ultra-porous nano-architecture electrode with triple-phase conductivity, meaning it can transport electrons, oxygen ions and protons, which dramatically improves electrolysis kinetics."

All in all, the research team said these findings could be game changers in the world of renewable hydrogen production. 

"By addressing key challenges in electrolyte processing and electrode design, we are unlocking the full potential of PCECs for sustainable energy applications," said study lead and assistant professor Hanping Ding, Ph.D.

Researchers are eager to scale up the use of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to burning dirty fuels.

While oil and gas were convenient to adopt, scientists have since learned that their widespread burning is responsible for a number of harmful effects via toxic pollution. These include a steady surge in severe weather events, agricultural damages, loss of biodiversity, an increase in deadly air pollution, and more.

Currently, hydrogen is used in several industrial processes — from treating metals to processing food, lowering the sulfur content of fuels, and producing fertilizer — as well as in fuel cells for electricity generation, including powering electric vehicles.

Should the government be paying us to upgrade our homes? Definitely 💰 Depends on how much it costs 🫰 Depends on what it's for 🏡 No way 🙅 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

It's also increasingly being adopted as jet fuel, and some biofuel producers are using it to produce hydrotreated vegetable oil, a form of renewable diesel. Some scientists are also looking into the use of hydrogen as a supplement or replacement for natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

And the more reliable and effective it is to produce hydrogen, the more widely it can be used, which makes studies like this one so important.

While hydrogen might not be a realistic power source (yet) for the average consumer, one of the best ways to take advantage of current renewable offerings is by installing solar panels, which bring your home's energy cost down to nearly $0.

If that's something you're interested in doing, start with the free tools from EnergySage to get vetted quotes and save up to $10,000 on your installation cost.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.