Sulfate-ion salt reduces the amount of free water in aqueous batteries, increasing lifespan more than 10X, also improving performance

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1092322

"free water contributes to parasitic chemical reactions, degrading anode/ compromising battery lifespan... zinc sulfate acts as glue stabilizing bonds in free water changing its dynamics... may also have same effect on other metal anodes, suggesting the inclusion of sulfate salts into the battery design could be a universal solution for lengthening the lifespan of all aqueous batteries... sulfate salts are cheap, widely available and chemically stable"