Abstract：To better understand the real process and mechanism in electrochemical energy storage and conversion is high desirable and critical. However, for most of nanoscale functional materials, drastic structural changes during electro-cycles can lead to the formation of new active sites or different phases, implying complex and distinctive processes. Based on synchrotron radiation X-ray light source, many state-of-the-art X-ray methods can be developed to probe such dynamitic changes in electrochemical processes. Herein, I will present some of our recent studies on the development of multiple/operando X-ray techniques for probing electrochemical catalysts and ion-batteries. The outlook of advanced X-ray techniques will be also discussed with new generation light source.

Abstract：Active matter is the marvel of nature. The challenge lies in commanding its chaotic behavior. By dispersing swimming bacteria in a liquid crystalline (LC) environment with spatially varying orientation defined by the liquid crystalline polymer networks, we demonstrate control over the distribution of bacterial concentration, as well as the geometry and polarity of their trajectories. Bacteria recognize subtle differences in the topological structures in the LC, engaging in bipolar swimming in regions of pure splay and bend but switching to unipolar swimming in mixed splay-bend regions. In the second part, I will talk about how to remotely programm the reversible and complex morphing in the monolithic liquid crystalline polymer networks, namely liquid crystal elastomer(LCE), by integrating kirigami designs with topological structures. This shape-morphing arises due to the interplay between the custom-cut sample geometry and topology in the material microstructure. We obtained a rich variety of out-of-plane shape transformations including auxetic structures and undulating morphologies by combining different topological structures and kirigami geometries. Different functionalities such as bio-inspired fluttering butterfly, flower bud, dual-rotation light-mill and dual-mode locomotion are realized. Our programmable active matter will open opportunities in future developments of multi-functional devices for soft-robotics, flexible electronics, and biomedicine.