TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The non-reactive conductive substance is carbon based powder. It comprises carbon black, graphite, ethylene black, or its combination. It includes a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. The battery is a carbon zinc battery and the non-reactive conductive substance comprises zinc powder. The conductive substance is dispersed intermediate the separator and the negative electrode. The battery is a carbon zinc battery having a negative zinc electrode plate, the conductive substance being dispersed in the starch layer intermediate the separator and the zinc electrode plate. The negative electrode is a negative electrode composite comprising a negative electrode plate, an insulator layer, and a conductive paste layer intermediate and joining the negative electrode plate and the insulation layer, the conductive paste layer comprising conductive substances dispersed in a non-conductive paste layer. A non-conductive starch layer is disposed intermediate the conductive paste layer and the insulation layer. The positive electrode is a positive electrode tablet, the negative electrode is a paper sheet covered negative electrode plate composite, and the separator is a porous insulating cup receiving and surrounding the positive electrode tablet, the conductive substance dispersed paste layer forming part of the negative electrode plate composite and being intermediate the paper sheet and a surface of a negative electrode plate. The positive electrode tablet is composed of manganese dioxide, conductive substances and binding agents; and the negative electrode plate is zinc based. Non-conductive starched layer is intermediate the conductive paste layer and the paper, the conductive substances in the conductive paste layer being adapted for dispersion into the non-conductive starched layer to modify the non-conductive starched layer into a conductive layer upon addition of electrolyte. The battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell comprising a anode can, a cylinder of cathode mix, and a hollow cylindrical separator cup; and where the conductive paste layer is distributed between the anode can and the separator cup.