MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- A West Virginia University researcher trying to develop a low-cost, solid oxide fuel cell for more efficient power generation has won a three-year grant of nearly $500,000.

Xingbo Liu landed one of seven grants recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance

Liu will be working to advance cathode performance in the fuel cells.

The cathode is a thin, porous layer on the electrolyte of a fuel cell where oxygen reduction takes place. The flameless form of combustion is more energy efficient than burning coal to produce electricity.

Liu wants to help provide a pathway to the development of the next generation of cathode. The hope is that it will offer better performance and stability, and be cost-competitive with current technologies.