TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The battery further comprises separator including glass wool.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The lithium hexafluorophosphate is 10 or 12 wt.%. The metal foil anode, the polymeric barrier layer, and the separator are disposed within an electrolyte comprising 1.2 M solution of lithium hexafluorophosphate in propylene carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The mixture further comprises alkali-hydroxide modified polyvinylidene fluoride (81 or 78 wt.%). The polyethylene oxide is 9 or 10 wt.%. EXAMPLE - A polymer blend was prepared by dissolving hydrolyzed polyvinylidene fluoride (pVdF) (3.058 g) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (nMP). After the hydrolyzed pVdF dissolved, polyethylene oxide (PEO) (0.410) and lithium hexafluorophosphate (0.450 g) were added to the dissolved hydrolyzed pVdF solution. The hydrolyzed pVdF comprised 78 wt.%, PEO comprised 10.5 wt.% and lithium hexafluorophosphate comprised 11.5 wt.%. The mixture was then heated until three components were dissolved in nMP. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and then applied, at a thickness of 0.002 inches, to a clean glass plate to form a barrier layer. The barrier layer or film was dried at 50 degrees C until the liquid evaporated and then placed into a vacuum oven for 24 hours at 50 degrees C. Lithium foil was obtained with a thickness of 0.006 inches for use as an anode. The polymer blend of hydrolyzed pVdF/PEO or barrier layer was then disposed on the lithium foil and wire-mesh and pressed at 12 tons. Excess polymer blend was then removed. A 1.2M solution of lithium hexafluorophosphate in propylene carbonate was provided for use as an electrolyte. An air cathode was obtained had 24 mg/cm2 of active material, about 7% of which is gamma -manganese dioxide, some or all of which may be reduced to a lower oxidation state. It was pressed onto a nickel wire-mesh at 25 lbs and then coated on one side with Teflon (RTM: PTFE). A metal-air battery was assembled by placing coated lithium metal and glass wool into an electrolyte. When the polymer coating and glass wool was saturated, the glass wool was placed on top of the air cathode with the Teflon (RTM: PTFE) coated side facing away. The polymer-coated lithium was then placed on top of the glass wool. The whole assembly was then placed into a polymer pouch or housing and vacuum-sealed. After sealing, a hole was cut in the polymer pouch to expose the Teflon (RTM: PTFE) side of the air cathode. Teflon (RTM: PTFE) tape was then adhered to the outer border of the polymer pouch and Teflon (RTM: PTFE) coated side of the air cathode to prevent air from entering the housing and contacting the air cathode prior to desired operation of the metal-air battery. The metal-air was discharged at 1 mA to 1.5 V and was found to have a capacity of 9.2 mA.