MOLTEN METAL BATTERY SYSTEM WITH SELF-PRIMING CELLS

A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment configured to receive electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the ion-selective membrane facing the anode compartment and configured to distribute the electrons received from the external power supply across the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electrically conductive coating and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.