The decentralized and self-sufficient data processing systems mentioned above need more efficient and new types of power supplies. This means that the energy density of known batteries and accumulators has to be boosted along with developing elastic and polymer foil-type batteries, polymer solar cells or piezoelectric materials for power conversion. Supplying power from miniaturized fuel cells is a promising alternative for portable machines that need more power or have to be used for a longer period of time. A common characteristic of all of these systems is the fact that it will be necessary to put a great deal of ingenuity in material development and technology with the focus on electrodes, electrolytes and materials for encapsulation and interconnects, notably with polymer systems. 

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