For almost two decades, scientists have grappled with understanding the corrosion of negatively polarized platinum electrodes in electrolyzers and electrochemical sensors. Collaborative research between SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Leiden University has finally unraveled the mystery, identifying platinum hydride formation as the cause. Despite platinum being generally stable, it degrades rapidly under negative polarization. The team utilized advanced X-ray spectroscopy techniques at SSRL to observe platinum corrosion in real-time, focusing on hydrogen production. By simulating spectra with computational models, they confirmed that platinum hydrides were responsible for the corrosion. These groundbreaking findings are instrumental in advancing hydrogen energy production and improving the reliability of electrochemical devices by offering insights into preventing platinum corrosion. The successful interdisciplinary collaboration emphasizes the significance of pooling expertise for scientific progress and innovation.