Microfluidic and nanofluidic fuel cells: towards next generation on-chip power sources

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Miniaturized fuel cell systems may be the most promising technology for mitigation of the world's critical need to store large amounts of power within small, light-weight devices. The variety of potential applications for these fuel cells is astonishing: biomedical devices powered by small fuel cells could revolutionize health care services ranging from diabetes control to cardiovascular surgery; tiny wireless sensors could be equipped with a fuel cell to increase the service life; and portable electronic equipment such as the increasingly popular iPhone may capitalize on enhanced multimedia functionality and prolonged runtimes. Fuel cell-based power sources also have the unique capability of on-demand recharge by instant replacement of the fuel cartridge and do not require access to the power grid.