Question: What is acid stratification? How do our gels prevent it? Answer: Gelled electrolyte is an immobilized electrolyte. When liquid electrolyte or acid stratifies, the heavier, charged ions actually sink to the bottom of the cell, leaving discharged acid or water at the top. This allows the top of the plates to oxidize or corrode and reduces performance and shortens life. The bottoms of the plates also corrode due to the action of the higher than normal strength of acid. This can happen in "stationary" applications, because the battery never moves to mix the acid. Because our electrolyte is a gel, this stratification cannot happen.