Defects and their interactions in crystalline solids often underpin material properties and functionality 1 as they are decisive for stability 1-5 , result in enhanced diffusion 6 , and act as a reservoir of vacancies 7 . Recently, lithium-rich layered oxides have emerged among the leading candidates for the next-generation energy storage cathode material, delivering 50 % excess capacity over commercially used compounds. Oxygen-redox reactions are believed to be responsible for the excess capacity 8 , however, voltage fading has prevented commercialization of these new materials. Despite extensive research the understanding of the mechanisms underpinning oxygen-redox reactions and voltage fade remain incomplete. Here, using operando three-dimensional Bragg coherent diffractive imaging 2,9 , we directly observe nucleation of a mobile dislocation network in nanoparticles of lithium-rich layered oxide material. Surprisingly, we find that dislocations form more readily in the lithium-rich layered oxide material as compared with a conventional layered oxide material, suggesting a link between the defects and the

Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) is a well-known amorphous thin film solid electrolyte that has been extensively studied in the last three decades. Despite the promises to enable Li metal anode and various cathode materials, the presence of rigid substrate and LiPON's unique amorphous, air-sensitive characteristics set limitations to comprehensively understand its intrinsic properties for next-stage advancement and applications. This work demonstrates a different methodology to synthesize LiPON in a freestanding form that removes the substrate.The freestanding LiPON (FS-LiPON) exhibits remarkable flexibility, with controllable film thickness and large-scale production compatibility. Benefited from the freestanding form, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ss-NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are able to attain high S/N ratio to determine the local bonding structures and glass transition temperature of LiPON. In the presence of interfacial stress and a seeding layer, FS-LiPON demonstrates a uniform and fully dense Li metal deposition without the aid of external pressure. Such a FS-LiPON film offers new opportunities for fundamental study of LiPON material and associated interfaces, and provide perspectives for interface engineering in bulk solid-state battery.

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with metabolic dysfunction, including progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) as a model of OSA worsens hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in rodents with diet induced obesity. However, IH also causes weight loss, thus complicating attempts to co-model OSA and NAFLD. We sought to determine the effect of various durations of IH exposure on metabolic and liverrelated outcomes in a murine NAFLD model. We hypothesized that longer IH duration would worsen the NAFLD phenotype.Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 32) were fed a high trans-fat diet for 24 weeks, to induce NAFLD with severe steatohepatitis. Mice were exposed to an IH profile modeling severe OSA, for variable durations (0, 6, 12, or 18 weeks). Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was measured at baseline and at six-week intervals. Liver triglycerides, collagen and other markers of NAFLD were measured at sacrifice.

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