(AU9734284-A)   NOVELTY - An electrochemical system that can operate at ambient temperatures.    USE - This is for use in electrochemical systems used under ambient conditions, e.g. batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and electrolyzers.    ADVANTAGE - Electrical contact between the non-liquid proton conductor and the electrodes is as good as that obtained using liquid electrolytes. Commercial organic polymer ion exchange sheets for use as non-liquid electrolytes, such as those containing flourinated methansulfonic acid, are expensive and have bad electrical contact with the electrodes, which is especially a problem at ambient temperature. By using a swellable matrix polymer, contact is improved.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The system comprises:    (a) an anode plate;    (b) cathode plate;    (c) a non-liquid proton conductor membrane interposed betewen the anode plate and cathode plate such that an electrical contact is formed between the anode plate and the cathode plate via the membrane, and ions flow between them. This conductor membrane includes (i) a matrix polymer dissolvable in a first solvent and (ii) an acidic multimer also dissolvable in this solvent. The matrix polymer is selected such that when the non-liquid proton conductor membrane is contact with a second solvent, the conductor swells, improving electrical contact.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (i) a method of preparing a non-liquid proton conductor membrane for use in electrochemical systems. This method comprises:    (A) dissolving a matrix polymer and an acidic multimer in a first solvent to obtain a homogenous solution;    (B) pouring this homogenous solution onto a surface;    (C) evaporating the first solvent to obtain the non-liquid proton conductor;    (D) optionally forming crosslinks within the non-liquid proton conductor membrane.    (E) optionally interposing the conductor obtained in electrical contact between an anode plate and a cathode plate.    (ii) a reference electrode for reference measurements of non-liquid systems. This electrode comprises an electrode embedded in a non-liquid proton conductor. An electrical contact is formed between the electrode and the non-liquid proton conductor material.