TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer matrix material further comprises a water-soluble or water swellable polymer. A chemical polymerization initiator and a neutralizing agent are further added to the matrix. The water-soluble or water-swellable polymer which comprises less than 30 wt.% of the matrix, preferably 1-4 wt.%, is chosen from polysulfone (anionic), poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate), carboxy methyl cellulose, sodium salt of poly(styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid), corn starch, any other water-soluble or water swellable polymers.Preferred Monomer: The water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated acids and derivatives of the matrix are of formula (I).(R1)(R2)C=C(R3)-C(O)-R4 (I)R1-R3 = H, C, 2-6C alkane, 2-6C alkene, 2-6C alkyne, aromatics, halogens, carboxylic acid derivatives, sulfates or nitrates;R4 = NR5, NHR5, NH2, OH, H, halides, OR5 and carboxylic acid derivatives;R5 = H, C, 2-6C alkane, 2-6C alkene, 2-6C alkyne, aromatics.Preferably, the water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated acids and acid derivatives comprise 5-50 wt.%, preferably 10-20 wt.% of monomer components and are (methylenebis)acrylamide, (meth)acrylic acid, fumaramide, fumaric acid, N-isopropyl acrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, 3,3-dimethylacrylic acid and maleic anhydride, preferably 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and sodium salt of vinylsulfonic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The deviation in volume of the polymer matrix after replacement of water with desired group, is less than 50%, preferably less than 5%. The group is anion conducting group, cation conducting group, neutral group and electrochromic group, preferably an alkaline solution. The alkaline solution comprises potassium hydroxide. Water comprises 50-90 wt.%, preferably 62-75 wt.% of the matrix prior to replacement.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Cross-linker: The cross-linking agent comprises 0.01-15 wt.%, preferably 1-3 wt.% of total monomers and is of formula (II).((R3i)(R4i)C=C(R2i)-C(O))n-R6 (II)R2i-R4i = R1-R3;R6 = N, NR5, NH, O and carboxylic acid derivatives;R5 = as defined above;i = 1n;n = greater than or equal to 2.Preferably, the cross-linking agent is methylenebisacrylamide, ethylenebisacrylamide, any water-soluble N,N'-alkylidene-bis(ethylenically unsaturated amide) and 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine.Preferred Initiator: The polymerization initiator which comprises less than 3 wt.% of the matrix, is ammonium persulfate, alkali metal persulfate and peroxides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The conductivity of the electrochemical cell is greater than 0.1 Siemens/cm, preferably greater than 0.4 Siemens/cm. One of the electrodes is a metal fuel and the other is an air diffusion electrode. Preferably, another electrode in electrical communication with electrode (I) and in electrical isolation from electrode (II) is provided. EXAMPLE - Methylenebisacrylamide (in g) (3.5), acrylamide (5.3), 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (2.6), methacrylic acid (42.9), poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (6.3), 1-phenyl-2-methyl-2-hydroxypropanone (1.8) and triethanol amine (7), were dissolved in 224.6 ml of water. The solution was further added with 50% potassium hydroxide (56.1) and was maintained at room temperature. A fabric piece was soaked in the obtained monomer solution and sandwiched between a piece of glass and a piece of polyethylene terephthalate transparent film. The obtained structure was irradiated with strong UV light for 1 minute and a strong polymer film was obtained. The film was then soaked in 45% KOH for 24 hours. The resultant film had a high conductivity of hydroxide ions of 0.45 S/cm. The film was used in an alkaline zinc/air cell.