The problem of high rate electrodeposition of metals such as copper during electrowinning operations or high rate charging of lithium or zinc electrodes for rechargeable battery applications while avoiding the adverse effects of dendrite formation such as causing short-circuiting and/or poor deposit morphology is solved by pulse reverse current electrodeposition or charging whereby the forward cathodic (electrodeposition or charging) pulse current is “tuned” to minimize dendrite formation for example by creating a smaller pulsating boundary layer and thereby minimizing mass transport effects leading to surface asperities and the subsequent reverse anodic (electropolishing) pulse current is “tuned” to eliminate the micro- and macro-asperities leading to dendrites.