Electrolyte supply and modelling of electrochemical nanofilm processors

•For the controlled lateral oxidation of nanoscale aluminum layer in nanofilm processors we developed a model describing the occurring volume flows in the electrolyte layer.•Based on this model we optimized the electrolyte layer technically to achieve a feeding performance especially under deficit condition. The controlled lateral oxidation of nanoscale aluminum layer in nanofilm processors is a new type of electrochemical device providing application for a large variety of smart labels. For this device based on an electrochemical cell the electrolyte function is realized by a thin layer containing a hygroscopic agent harvesting water from the ambient atmosphere necessary for the electrochemical process inside the device. The fundamental experimental principle of supplying a nanofilm processor by water harvesting from the ambient atmosphere in thin electrolyte layer is actually shown in previous paper. In this paper we have a closer view on the volume flows and develop a model describing the occurring volume flows in the electrolyte layer as transfer unit for water from the ambient vapor phase into the nanofilm processor. Based on this model we optimized the electrolyte layer technically to achieve a distinctive improvement of the feeding performance of the nanofilm processor especially under deficit condition concerning the ambient humidity.