(EP692834-A1)      A water-activated deferred-action battery having a housing contg. cell(s), comprising: (a) anode(s) selected from Mg, Al, Zn, or alloys; (b) a cathode comprising: a skeletal frame including conductive metal having some of its surface area as open spaces; and a heat pressed, rigid, static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame, comprising CuCl, S and C and a water-ionisable salt having water solubility at least 2 g/l compacted and fused to itself and the skeletal frame, to form a heat fused, conductive electrochemically active material; (c) cavity(s) separating the cathode and anode(s) and (d) aperture(s) leading to the cavity(s) for the ingress of an electrolyte forming aq. liqs. Also claimed is method for producing a cathode for a water-activated, deferred-action battery, by (a) forming from an electrically conductive metal, a skeletal frame having open spaces; (b) preparing a cathode mix comprising CuCl, S and C and a water-ionisable salt having water solubility at least 2g/l; (c) heating and stirring the mixt. at a temp. effective to melt the S; (d) cooling and chopping the mixt. into particulate form; (e) introducing the skeletal frame surrounded by the chopped mixt. into a compaction die; (f) heating the die to 140-170C; and (g) compacting the heated mixt. under pressure in the die, fusing the particles to each other and the skeletal frame to form a conductive electrochemically active, fused, rigid static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame.    USE -   The battery is useful for operating an emergency signal, e.g. on a life jacket.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has a higher operating voltage giving a higher light intensity, increased shelf life and improved battery performance. It can be used in seawater or freshwater.    (EP692834-B1)      A water-activated deferred-action battery having a housing contg. cell(s), comprising: (a) anode(s) selected from Mg, Al, Zn, or alloys; (b) a cathode comprising: a skeletal frame including conductive metal having some of its surface area as open spaces; and a heat pressed, rigid, static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame, comprising CuCl, S and C and a water-ionisable salt having water solubility at least 2 g/l compacted and fused to itself and the skeletal frame, to form a heat fused, conductive electrochemically active material; (c) cavity(s) separating the cathode and anode(s) and (d) aperture(s) leading to the cavity(s) for the ingress of an electrolyte forming aq. liqs. Also claimed is method for producing a cathode for a water-activated, deferred-action battery, by (a) forming from an electrically conductive metal, a skeletal frame having open spaces; (b) preparing a cathode mix comprising CuCl, S and C and a water-ionisable salt having water solubility at least 2g/l; (c) heating and stirring the mixt. at a temp. effective to melt the S; (d) cooling and chopping the mixt. into particulate form; (e) introducing the skeletal frame surrounded by the chopped mixt. into a compaction die; (f) heating the die to 140-170C; and (g) compacting the heated mixt. under pressure in the die, fusing the particles to each other and the skeletal frame to form a conductive electrochemically active, fused, rigid static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame.    USE -   The battery is useful for operating an emergency signal, e.g. on a life jacket.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has a higher operating voltage giving a higher light intensity, increased shelf life and improved battery performance. It can be used in seawater or freshwater.