NOVELTY - A battery cell comprises protected anode comprising lithium metal anode having first surface and second surface, protective membrane (2) architecture on the first surface of anode, cathode compartment (4) comprising cathode (5) for reducing molecular oxygen, aqueous catholyte (6), and porous inorganic solid reservoir structure (7) disposed between the protected anode and the cathode; where sufficient catholyte is present in the reservoir pores to maintain sufficient ionic communication between the cathode and the anode; and the protective membrane architecture.    USE - As lithium/air battery cell.    ADVANTAGE - The cathode compartment scavenges water from ambient air during cell operation, and this facilitates a number of advantages, including preventing dry out of the catholyte, prolonging the discharge, and enhancing the cell energy density. The lithium/air cell having an air cathode capable of accommodating large amounts of discharge product. The air cathode is that the active carbon layer is disposed in the bulk of the cathode and the cathode expands upon discharge.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A battery cell comprises protected anode comprising lithium metal anode having first surface and second surface, protective membrane (2) architecture on the first surface of anode, cathode compartment (4) comprising cathode (5) for reducing molecular oxygen, aqueous catholyte (6), and porous inorganic solid reservoir structure (7) disposed between the protected anode and the cathode; where sufficient catholyte is present in the reservoir pores to maintain sufficient ionic communication between the cathode and the anode; and the protective membrane architecture comprises materials to provide first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and second membrane surface impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of lithium/air battery cell.    Protective membrane (2)    Cathode compartment (4)    Cathode (5)    Aqueous catholyte (6)    Porous inorganic solid reservoir structure (7)