Lithium deposition is observed in situ using a microfluidic test cell. The microfluidic device rapidly sets up a steady concentration gradient and minimizes ohmic potential loss, minimizes electrolyte usage, and shows good repeatability. Dendrite growth is observed at different current densities for electrolytes containing lithium hexafluorophosphate or lithium bis͑trifluoromethane sulfonyl͒ imide ͑LiTFSI͒ in mixtures of propylene carbonate ͑PC͒ and dimethyl carbonate. Dendrites are formed at shorter times in electrolytes containing LiTFSI and high amounts of PC. The time to first observed dendrites increases linearly ͑for all electrolyte compositions͒ with a resistance given by the Tafel slope of the lithium reduction polarization curve.

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