Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Microfluidic fuel cell systems having two or more adjacent and parallel laminar flow streams positioned within an electrode pair assembly are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a liquid fuel/electrolyte mixture and a liquid oxidant/electrolyte mixture are interposed between an anode structure and a cathode structure such that the liquid fuel/electrolyte mixture defines a first laminar flow stream that runs adjacent to the anode structure and the liquid oxidant/electrolyte mixture defines a second laminar flow stream that runs adjacent to the cathode structure. The anode structure may in some embodiments be derived from a first substantially planar substrate that is processed so as to have one or more discrete anodic porous regions, where each region is adapted to flow a first liquid there-through. Similarly, the cathode structure may in some embodiments be derived from a first substantially planar substrate that is also processed so as to have one or more discrete cathodic porous regions, where each region is adapted to flow a second liquid there-through. In still further embodiments, a third laminar flow stream that comprises a liquid electrolyte mixture flows in between the first and second laminar flow streams.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim