Why Solid-State Batteries Fail—and How to Fix Them

Published July 15, 2026

(a) Volume-rendered 3D 7Li MRI images of pristine, cycled, and shorted Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) pellets. Blue regions show metallic lithium growing inside a transparent solid-electrolyte pellet. (b) Schematic illustrating Li dendrite formation mechanisms and propagation processes in Li/LLZO/Li.

Scientists at the MagLab and their collaborators from Boise State University and Argonne National Laboratory used advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques at the MagLab to investigate lithium dendrite formation in solid-state batteries. Their study reveals two different pathways of dendrite formation and provides insights for designing safer and longer-lasting batteries.

What is the finding

Using advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques, scientists discovered that harmful lithium “spikes” (dendrites) form in solid-state batteries through two different pathways: One pathway resulting from uneven lithium metal deposition at the electrode surface, while the other originating from lithium-ion reduction inside the solid electrolyte. These processes occur at different rates and together drive battery failure.

Why is this important?

Solid-state batteries are a promising next-generation energy storage technology because they can potentially store more energy and offer improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, the growth of lithium dendrites - needle-like metallic structures that can penetrate the electrolyte and short-circuit the battery - remains a major barrier to commercialization. This work provides the first direct, non-invasive observation of two distinct dendrite formation mechanisms operating within the same battery system. By identifying where and how these failure pathways originate, this study provides critical design principles for developing safer and longer-lasting solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid-scale energy storage applications.

Who did the research?

H. Liu¹, Y. Chen¹, P.-H. Chien¹, G. Amouzandeh^{1, 2}, D. Hou^{3, 4}, E. Truong¹, I. P. Oyekunle¹, J. Bhagu⁵, S. W. Holder⁵, H. Xiong³, P. L. Gor’kov², J. T. Rosenberg², S. C. Grant², 5 & Y.-Y Hu^{1, 2}

¹FSU; ²CIMAR; ³Boise State University; ⁴Argonne National Laboratory; ⁵FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Why did they need the MagLab?

This research required the unique high-field magnetic resonance capabilities available at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The MagLab’s 21.1T, 19.6T and 11.75T NMR/MRI systems, together with specialized instrumentation and expertise, enabled researchers to see inside working batteries without damaging them and track lithium movement and dendrite growth with a level of sensitivity and spatial resolution not available through conventional techniques. These unique capabilities made it possible to distinguish the two dendrite formation pathways and understand how they develop during battery operation.