Abstract: The cathode of the water-activated battery is a chloride member with a silver coating on its surface or it is a silver-chloride cathode. The anode is a magnesium plate. The anode and cathode are spaced apart with a rigid spacer member. A battery casing encloses the electrodes. A conductive liquid such as saltwater enters the housing through entry and exit ports formed therein and the water then surrounds the electrodes. Lead wires, e.g. a wire bundle, project through the casing wall and they connect to a light or a similar load. The battery is operated by immersing the housing into the conductive liquid, removing the entry port plug from the entry port to permit the conductive liquid to enter the casing through the entry port, and removing the exit port plug from the exit port to permit the conductive liquid to exit the casing through the exit port.

Abstract: A battery cell which comprises an anode element of magnesium alloy metal, a carbon or stainless steel current collector, and a manganese-dioxide-type cathode mix and electrolyte comprising mainly manganese dioxide with the addition of potassium monoperoxysulfate to substantially improve the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and to substantially decrease polarization. Additions to said mix of such metal oxides as nickel oxide, lead dioxide, cobalt oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, silver oxide or others substantially contribute to increased battery capacity. The addition of lithium chloride to the above improved battery cell in small amounts substantially increases the low-temperature range of these battery cells without improvement of battery capacity.