TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Membrane: The membrane further comprises (i) an electrical conductor extending through the pores and (ii) catalyst(s) (232, 234) on each surface. The backbone, hydroxide ion conductor and electrical conductor are all discrete from one another. Oxygen molecules are reduced to OH ions at the first surface and the OH ions are reoxidized at the second surface. The membrane generates an oxygen flux of at least 20 m3/m2 membrane per day at 25-500 (preferably 25-150) degrees C. The electrical conductor comprises a metallization material (240) (especially nickel, or palladium or platinum) disposed on the pore walls. The hydroxide ion conductor comprises an electrolyte within the pores in engagement with the metallization material. The electrolyte (preferably KOH) is solid at room temperature and liquid at the operating temperature, with its surface tension maintaining it within the pores of the membrane. The first surface comprises an anode and the second surface comprises a cathode. A catalyst is disposed on each.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst comprises a non-precious-metal-based inorganic material (preferably cobalt, manganese or iron phthalocyanine, cobalt tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP), manganese dioxide, nano-grain perovskites and/or spinels), carbon and a binder.Preferred Backbone: The backbone is inert and is fabricated from ceramic material and comprises a ceramic and fiber mixture. It includes gamma-LiAlO2 particles, alpha-Al2O3 particles or fibers, asbestos mats and/or molecular sieve material in combination with a PTFE binder, especially submicron-sized gamma-LiAlO2 particles, alpha-Al2O3 particles of size more than 100 microns and alpha-Al2O3 fibers of diameter 3-15 microns.Preferred Fabrication Method: The pores are metallized (by electroless plating) so that the membrane is ionically and electrically conductive between the anode and cathode. Each electrode is coated with a catalyst and then with an ink or slurry.Preferred Oxygen Separation System: The system comprises the membrane, an air chamber in fluid communication with the anode and an oxygen chamber in fluid communication with the cathode. The air chamber is at higher pressure than the oxygen chamber. The pressure gradient generates oxygen flow into the oxygen chamber. Preferably, the air chamber also communicates with a compressor, a heat source and a carbon dioxide scrubber, and the oxygen chamber communicates with a vacuum pump. A voltage source maintains the anode at a higher electric potential than the cathode to form a voltage gradient which generates oxygen flow into the oxygen chamber.