Honorable Mention, 2015

Tree-like structures called dendrites pose a problem for makers of lithium ion batteries. When they grow across a battery, they can cause a short circuit, generating heat and even starting fires. The image here, taken with a digital microscope, stitches together thousands of individual frames of an electrode, as diverse dendrites form in webs and mossy clusters. Images such as these provide data for advanced modeling that can help predict and prevent dendrite growth.

Credit:
Melissa Meyerson
Chemistry Graduate Student