A battery includes a battery casing with a chamber that includes an electrolyte powder. The electrolyte powder surrounds a zinc material that is separated from the electrolyte powder by a permeable separator sheet. The battery also includes a conductive member with a first end in electrical communication with an anode terminal of the battery, and, a second end in electrical communication with the zinc material. A conductive layer is between an inner surface of the casing and the electrolyte powder and in electrical communication with the cathode terminal. There is also a liquid release mechanism that releases a liquid in the chamber to activate an ion flow between the electrolyte powder and the zinc material via the permeable separator sheet.