Molten metal battery system with self-priming cells

A battery cell comprising:

• a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions when self-priming the battery cell;
• an anode compartment configured to receive electrons from an external power supply when self-priming the battery cell;
• 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 electron transport structure configured to provide electrons to at least one of the ion-selective membrane or an electrically conductive coating on the ion-selective membrane without a molten metal within the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, such that the electrons are combined with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electron transport structure and the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.