World’s smallest working fuel cell is full of green energy

Shrinking the size to the bare minimum and be tagged as the world’s smallest can ring in lots of recognition. And this fact holds true for the world’s smallest working fuel cell. Sized at 3 millimeters (across) by US chemical engineers, such an itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny fuel cell will generate more power than consuming it. Comprising of four components, a thin membrane separates a water reservoir above from a chamber containing metal hydride below. And underneath lays an assembly of electrodes that do the needful. Measuring just 9 mm3, it is the surface tension and not gravity that controls the flow of water through the system. Such an arrangement is ideal for powering on-the-move gadgets.

Though the current model doesn’t generate enough energy (0.7 volts and a current of 1 milliamps for 30 hours) to power up a cell phone, the scientists assert that it’s enough for simpler electronic systems or microrobots. Read more about the actual working of this smallest cell here.
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