Scientists at West Virginia University have made major strides with high-tech batteries known as protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) that are responsible for cleaning and storing clean energy.

Typically, when exposed to hot, humid steam, PCECs break down quickly, making them impractical for industrially relevant use in grid-scale energy storage.

The researchers, however, have built a protective coating that addresses this issue.

The coating, a sponge-like ceramic structure covered with an ultra-thin layer of PBNO — a steam-tolerant material — protects the sensitive parts from steam damage while allowing the cell to continue functioning.

This means the cells can operate dependably for more than 5,000 hours at 600 degrees Celsius in steamy conditions, which is a record for this technology.

The paper published in Nature Energy states that the cells can also handle sudden temperature changes and work more efficiently.
This means potentially making long-lasting, efficient energy storage possible, helping solar and wind power supply energy around the clock.

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