NOVELTY - The electrochemical cell (110) comprises a catalytic electrode (120), a counter electrode, a separator disposed between the catalytic and counter electrodes and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte all contained within a cell housing having ports for passage of a gas through the housing to or from the catalytic electrode. The catalytic electrode comprises a first side facing the separator, a second side opposite to the first side and present in fluid communication with the ports, a catalytic layer (121) comprising a catalytic material for reducing oxygen, and a porous current collector (123).    USE - Used as an electrochemical cell such as a metal-air cell, a fuel cell (all claimed), hydrogen generating cells and electrochemical sensor cells.    ADVANTAGE - The electrochemical cell has improved electrical characteristics such as operating voltage, power output, energy density, discharge capacity, charge efficiency and cycle life, enhanced storage characteristics and increased leakage resistance, and can be economically, easily and safely manufactured with large scale and high electrical performance and without any environmental impact of waste disposal.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The electrochemical cell (110) comprises a catalytic electrode (120), a counter electrode, a separator disposed between the catalytic and counter electrodes and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte all contained within a cell housing having ports for passage of a gas through the housing to or from the catalytic electrode. The catalytic electrode comprises a first side facing the separator, a second side opposite to the first side and present in fluid communication with the ports, a catalytic layer (121) comprising a catalytic material for reducing oxygen, and a porous current collector (123) partially embedded in the catalytic material, and is a positive electrode and an oxygen reduction electrode for reducing oxygen from outside the cell housing. The counter electrode is a negative electrode comprising a metal as an active material. The current collector comprises a first side and a second side corresponding to the first and second sides of the catalytic electrode respectively, a substrate with an electrically conductive protective metal surface layer in contact with the catalytic material on the first and/or second sides, and a coating including electrically conductive particles in contact with the catalytic material on the other of the first side and the second side, and is partially embedded in the catalytic material on the first surface of the catalytic electrode. The protective metal surface layer is present in contact with the catalytic material on the second side of the current collector, is present on the entire first and second sides of the current collector, and is a distinct layer with a different composition than a portion of the substrate beneath the metal surface layer. The coating is present in contact with the catalytic material on the first side of the current collector, and comprises a binder comprising a polymeric material. The electrically conductive particles comprise a member consisting of carbon particles, gold particles, nickel particles, silver particles, graphite particles and carbon black particles. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a process of making an electrochemical cell.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a prismatic shaped metal-air cell with the catalytic electrode.    Cell (110)    Positive electrode casing (112)    Catalytic electrode (120)    Catalytic layer (121)    Current collector (123)    Negative electrode casing. (126)