How the Smart Battery Detector Works (IMAGE) Stanford University Caption In a conventional lithium-ion battery, lithium dendrites (orange) grow through the polymer separator to the cathode, causing a dangerous short- circuit as the voltage drops to zero without warning. Right: With a smart separator (dashed line), the voltage drop occurs when the dendrites reach the copper conducting layer, warning of a potential short-circuit well before the battery fails. Credit Hui Wu & Denys Zhuo, Stanford University Usage Restrictions Graphics, photographs and videos provided by the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University are to be used - with appropriate credit - for editorial purposes only. Flopping, altering, editing or otherwise embellishing these images and audio clips in any way that changes the editorial content of these images and audio clips is prohibited. Permission is for one-time use only. Supplied image file must be deleted after use. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.