Abstract : Nano-layered Al-Ni bimetallic foils are materials capable of self-propagation with either an external thermal or electrical stimuli. A study was performed to investigate the feasibility of using these materials as an alternative heat source for thermal batteries. Properties studied were flame front propagation velocity (both in absolute terms and in relation to that in the heat paper), ignitibility, heat of reaction, and electrical resistance. Additionally, two-cell and four-cell prototype batteries were fabricated with these materials and their performance was evaluated.