A research group in Hefei, China, led by Prof. CHEN Changlun, has made a breakthrough in hydrogen production through two-step water electrolysis. By developing advanced cobalt-doped nickel hydroxide bipolar electrodes and non-noble metal catalysts, the team has significantly enhanced the efficiency and stability of the process. Traditional alkaline electrolyzers face drawbacks like energy mismatches and hydrogen/oxygen mixing issues, which the two-step water electrolysis method circumvents by using a bipolar electrode to separate hydrogen and oxygen production both temporally and spatially. The team's innovation lies in the creation of cobalt-doped flexible nickel hydroxide electrodes and efficient non-noble metal catalysts, enabling high durability, activity, and improved energy conversion efficiency. Moreover, the researchers employed nonthermal plasma technology to enhance layered double hydroxide electrodes, tackling their limitations in capacity and conductivity. This advancement opens up possibilities for large-scale hydrogen storage and applications in various sectors. Prof. CHEN Changlun emphasizes the synchronization of their performance indicators with global standards, signaling a significant step towards the industrial implementation of this innovative hydrogen production method.