Ann: Drilling Completed at Alpaca Hill, page-44

The process of using lithium metal anodes involves plating of a layer of new metal over the original metal - my understanding is that there has been much more experimentation using silicon metal as the actual anode.
Having read a bit more following a link to the Harvard research team I see that silicon is indeed involved in this research breakthrough

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/lithium-metal-battery-breakthrough-offers-rapid-recharging/

So it could be that micro particles of silicon interfere with the plating process to produce a smooth plate, without dendrite growth into the structure of the battery.

@Black Cat I have total faith that research and development will eventually give us a lithium battery which will make EVs not just as good, but far superior to ICEs in most applications.

Here is a bit more. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-023-01722-x
Please let me know if you understand it - I don't.

But back to cars - there is a Full Fat 4.4 liter SDV8 Rangie in the car park - a great engine for those vehicles, bettered only by unsupercharged 5.0 liter petrol V8 - (skipping problems with diesel particulate filters and recycle valves and supercharger drive belt.)
I've had two and want another - king for a day when you drive a Full Fat.
But its not the vehicle for a trip up to the Mitchell and Palmer Rivers, west of Cairns.

There is hope for us traditional car lovers yet.