A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a
fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an
electrochemical cell. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve
body having an aperture and a microactuator movable from a first position
where the microvalve body aperture is closed to fluid flow to at least a
second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body
aperture. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell
potential or a separate source to open and close the microvalve. The
fluid regulating microvalve assembly can be located outside the cell
housing or inside the cell housing, for example between one or more fluid
inlet apertures and the fluid consuming electrode. The invention includes
a method of making a multilayer microvalve assembly, particularly one for
use in a fluid depolarized battery, using a printing process to deposit
at least one of the layers.