TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cell contains no added mercury. The gas diffusion layer is hydrophobic material and is pressure bonded to the active layer. The catalytic electrode is made of material capable of reducing oxygen entering the housing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte is aqueous alkaline electrolyte. The counter electrode comprises zinc as active material. The catalytic material comprises manganese of formula MnOx.x=0.5-2, or composite material comprising nano-manganese particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The gas diffusion layer is fluorinated polymer comprising PTFE sheet having an air permeability value of 1-300 seconds and density of 1.5-1.7 g/cm2. Preferred Parameters: The gas diffusion area adhesion has overall bond strength of 65-250 (preferably greater than or equal to 75) g per 25.4 mm. EXAMPLE - A mixture of DARCO G-0(RTM: Activated carbon) (200 g) and distilled water (900 g) was added with nano-manganese (5.6 g) and mixed at speed to maintain desired vortex, added dropwise of PTFE (26 g) and further mixed for 20 minutes. The mixture was filtered and rinsed with distilled water (500 ml). Remaining solids were dried at 90 degrees C until mix temperature reached 90 degrees C, at 105 degrees C for 4-6 hours and at 50 degrees C. The mixture was sealed in a container and allowed to cool to room temperature. The dried mix was fluidized and milled to form a sheet of catalytic material (0.19 mm thick) containing nano-manganese (2.5 wt.%). The catalytic sheet was placed on top of strip of current collector and milled to embed current collector into catalytic sheet which was formed into an air electrode stock or nano catalytic electrode stock. Test results showed that the formed catalytic electrode had excellent maximum powder, current density at 1 V, limiting current, impedance and capacitance when compared with catalytic electrode having no nano-manganese particles.