About the team
The people behind Battery Dendrites
We’re a small team of student researchers studying how lithium dendrites form and building tools that make battery safety easier to understand, in collaboration with Professor Ming Tang’s Mesoscale Materials Science Group at Rice University.
Student research teamIn collaboration with Prof. Ming Tang, Mesoscale Materials Science Group, Rice University
01Our mission
Our mission is to make the hidden failure of lithium-ion batteries visible, and give everyone the understanding to prevent it.
Every time a lithium-ion battery charges, lithium can build up unevenly on the anode and grow into thin, branching structures called dendrites. Left unchecked, they can pierce the separator, short-circuit the cell, and lead to overheating or fire, often with no warning on the outside.
Battery Dendrites brings that process into view. We pair an interactive, research-based simulation with plain-language explanations of how batteries work, how dendrites are detected, and which charging habits, designs, and materials help keep them from forming.
- Grounded in research
- Built on the lattice kinetic Monte Carlo model from Prof. Ming Tang’s Mesoscale Materials Science Group at Rice University.
- Visualization
- An interactive simulation that runs right in your browser, so anyone can watch dendrites form as you change the charging conditions.
- Made for everyone
- Clear explanations and fully cited sources for students, everyday battery users, and the engineers of tomorrow.
02The team
Students who built this
Student researchers working across simulation, design, and science writing. Select a profile to read more.
03Why we built this
Battery failure is dangerous. We want people to see it coming.
- 01Simulate
Model how lithium deposits atom by atom, so dendrite growth can be visualized for the public.
- 02Educate
We want to inform the public about the dangers of dendrite growth to lead to a more sustainable and safe future.
- 03Prevent
Point to the habits, designs, and materials that keep batteries from failing.
04For educators
Teachers, we’d love to hear from you.
We built this site to be used in classrooms, and feedback from teachers helps us make it clearer, more accurate, and more useful for students at every level.
- How you used the site or simulation with your students
- Anything that was unclear, too advanced, or inaccurate
- Topics or classroom tools you would like to see next
See a dendrite grow for yourself
The simulation is the heart of this project. Change the charging conditions and watch the lithium respond.