A detailed review is carried out on current micropower technology. In particular, a prototype micropower device based on the concept of a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system of generating electricity is reviewed in this report. This prototype micro-TPV power generator [W.M. Yang, S.K. Chou, C. Shu, H. Xue, Z.W. Li, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 37 (2004) 1017-1020] is currently under research and development by the National University of Singapore (NUS). Focus is made on the possible improvements to the micro-TPV power device, in particular the efficiency of the micro-combustor, PV cells, and consequently the overall the efficiency. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.