NOVELTY - A carbon material (C1) comprises a bi-functional catalyst (at least 1000 parts per million (ppm)) and a pore structure (S1) comprising pores. The pore structure comprises a total pore volume of at least 1 cc/g, where at least 50% of the total pore volume resides in pores having a pore size of 2-50 nm as determined from nitrogen (N2) sorption derived density functional theory (DFT).    USE - As carbon material used in a metal-air battery and electrode (claimed), preferably lithium-air batteries; and in hybrid vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The pore structure of the carbon materials makes them well suited for use in lithium-air battery electrodes. The mesoporous structure of the carbon materials accommodates a large volume of reaction products per gram of carbon and provides a catalytic surface for the Li/O2 reaction. In addition, the pore structure is able to accommodate various bi-functional catalysts while maintaining the desired mesoporosity. Thus, electrodes prepared from the carbon materials comprise a high specific energy and resist clogging and inactivation of the pores. The lithium-air and other metal-air batteries comprising the carbon materials have increased energy density and active life compared to devices prepared from known carbon materials. The increased specific power values offered by the devices also may translate into reduced charging times. Therefore, the devices may be suitable for applications in which charging energy is available for only a limited amount of time. For instance, in vehicles, a great deal of energy is lost during ordinary braking. This braking energy may be recaptured and used to charge a battery of, for e.g. a hybrid vehicle. The braking energy, however, is available only for a short period of time (e.g. while braking is occurring). Thus, any transfer of braking energy to a battery must occur during braking. In view of their reduced charging times, the devices may provide an efficient means for storing such braking energy.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a metal-air battery comprising an air cathode, a metal anode and an electrolyte, where the air cathode comprises the carbon material (C1);    (2) an electrode comprising a binder and the carbon material (C1);    (3) a device comprising a secondary anode comprising a binder and the carbon material (C1), where the secondary anode is operatively connected to a metal anode of a metal-air battery with electric double layer capacitance equal to that of an air cathode of the metal-air battery;    (4) a resorcinol-formaldehyde dried polymer gel comprising a bi-functional catalyst (at least 1000 ppm) and pore structure (S1).