TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Membrane: The ceramic membrane comprises a material of formula M1M2A(BO4)3; NaM2(BO4)3; M1+xA2+xN'yBxC'3-xO12; Na3Zr2Si2PO12 or Na5RESi4O12. The membrane is in the form of a solid planar plate; tubular and porous supported geometries. The membrane is coated with other sodium ion conducting oxide materials.M1,M2=Na, Li or K;A,B,A,N',C'=a group selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+;x,y=0 - 2;A,N,B,C'=group selected from elements having a valence of 2+, 3+, 4+, or 5+;RE=Yttrium or a rare earth element.Preferred Components: The ceramic membrane has a current density of at least 100 (preferably at least 500) mA/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The methanol is continuously or intermittently fed into the catholyte compartment and the sodium methylate solution is continuously or intermittently removed from the catholyte compartment. An aqueous solution of at least one sodium salt is continuously or intermittently fed into the anolyte compartment and dilute sodium hydroxide solution and/or water is continuously or intermittently removed from the anolyte compartment. The anolyte and catholyte solutions are at temperatures less than their boiling points. The anolyte solution comprises sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride produced by a diaphragm cell of a chlor-alkali process. The catholyte compartment of cell is purged with at least one inert or nonflammable gases.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The sodium methylate solution formed has a concentration of at least 0.1 (preferably 25 - 28) wt.%. The sodium methylate solution is pure and free from contaminants including mercury. The sodium methylate solution is colorless. The sodium methylate solution is anhydrous (where the moisture content in sodium methylate is less than 0.2%). The anolyte has a pH of 1 - 14. The sodium salts comprise inorganic and/or organic salts of sodium. The sodium salt is sodium carbonate, sodium nitrate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, sodium perchlorate, sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chlorate, sodium nitrite, and other sodium based inorganic and organic salts. The gases, are generated in the cell feed alternate energy generating sources and processes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The sodium methylate solution formed has a concentration of at least 0.1 (preferably 25 - 28) wt.%. The sodium methylate solution is pure and free from contaminants including mercury. The sodium methylate solution is colorless. The sodium methylate solution is anhydrous (where the moisture content in sodium methylate is less than 0.2%). The anolyte has a pH of 1 - 14. The sodium salts comprise inorganic and/or organic salts of sodium. The sodium salt is sodium carbonate, sodium nitrate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, sodium perchlorate, sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chlorate, sodium nitrite, and other sodium based inorganic and organic salts. The gases, are generated in the cell feed alternate energy generating sources and processes.