Abstract: Adhesive precursor compositions comprising an N-vinyl lactam monomer and an acrylic monomer mixed together in a ratio of between 10:1 to 1:10 can be polymerized rapidly and efficiently in situ in less than 30 seconds, and preferably less than 10 seconds, upon exposure to UV light. The electrically conductive hydrogel compositions consist essentially of the polymerizable monomers, water, a cross-linking agent, an ionizable salt, and a photoinitiator.