Mechanically driven Li dendrite penetration in garnet solid electrolyte

Nature, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10415-9

Cryogenic electron microscopy images and micromechanical fracture modelling of mechanically soft lithium dendrites fracturing hard ceramic electrolytes suggest the mechanisms driving the phenomenon as well as design implications for solid-state lithium metal batteries.