In our 48 SEM microprobe experiments, however, we did not observe any lithium nucleation at the surface isolated from the whisker growth (within the resolution of SEM). This implies that the electronic conductivity of LLZO was low. In certain cases, multiple whiskers grow when the initial whisker re-contacts the surface at an alternate location, which is not due to electronic leakage in the solid electrolyte. Post-mortem FIB cross sectioning (shown in Figure ) did not reveal any lithium metal that was not connected to the crack network. This suggests that even if lithium metal is deposited below the surface, the resulting intrusions are still closely connected to mechanical fracture processes. Our results are consistent with recent operando optical imaging which observed lithium intrusion growth originating near the electrode surface, rather than within the bulk.