Chinese scientists, led by Professor Zhou Wu from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have made remarkable progress in catalytic hydrogen production. By achieving a catalyst stability of over 1,000 hours, they have surpassed a key threshold for potential large-scale application. The team developed a rare earth oxide nano-coating on platinum-based catalysts, significantly enhancing stability while maintaining high activity. Additionally, their research on ethanol-water reforming at a mild temperature offers a promising route to carbon-neutral hydrogen production by converting carbon atoms in ethanol into acetic acid, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. These advancements are crucial in the global push for clean energy systems and carbon neutrality. Although the breakthroughs are significant, challenges such as the cost of precious metals used in the catalysts remain a hurdle for widespread industrial implementation. The team aims to focus on cost reduction to ensure the efficient and environmentally friendly production of hydrogen on a large scale, potentially revolutionizing industries like ocean-going ships and deep-sea operations by enabling the clean conversion of liquid fuels to electrical energy.