A mathematical model describing ionic transport in a 3D-microbattery (3D-MB) electrolyte is developed here using finite element methodology. The model is then exploited to study a 3D-MB based on an interdigitated plate ("trench") architecture for a 10 pm-thick electrolyte layer separating 10 mu m-thick graphite anode and LiCoO(2) cathode plates. The effect of varying plate length, end-shape and electronic conductivity is also modelled. It is shown that the 3D-MB architecture gives rise to qualitatively non-uniform current densities, leading to sub-optimal surface utilization. This can, in turn, be optimized by varying electrode geometries and/or material properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.