with the goal of reducing esr for inexpensive non-solid e-caps from the mid-1980s in japan, new water-based electrolytes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors were developed. water is inexpensive, an effective solvent for electrolytes, and significantly improves the conductivity of the electrolyte. the japanese manufacturer rubycon was a leader in the development of new water-based electrolyte systems with enhanced conductivity in the late 1990s. the new series of non-solid e-caps with water-based electrolyte was described in the data sheets as having "low-esr", "low-impedance", "ultra-low-impedance" or "high-ripple current".