Imperfect crystals, complementarity with XRPD

The meeting comprised three significant topics: basic understanding of X-ray powder diffraction, Intellectual properties, and diffuse scattering. For the first block, “basics of X-ray powder diffraction”, four experts have been invited (one NanED partner (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste) and three external speakers), which covered technical and theoretical aspects as well as hands-on training for analysis software. The talk on intellectual properties and patents was provided by another NanED partner (BASF) and held on the first day. On the next day, more specialised X-ray powder diffraction topics, provided by three external speakers, covered pharmaceuticals in the industry and the analysis of disorders in organics and inorganics.

All ESRs presented their work at the workshop, and those attending online shared their progress in ten-minute presentations.

In addition to these lectures, it was essential to allow the theoretically gained knowledge to be applied hands-on. The group was split in two for days 1 and 2 to provide optimum teaching conditions. One group attended the tutorial for X-ray powder diffraction analysis software. In contrast, the second group visited the EMZ-M to get a tutorial on FAST-ADT, including electron beam precession and vice versa. The programs were distributed and installed before the workshop to allow the students to use their computers and solve practical problems. The third day was dedicated to three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) on disordered material. Two external speakers and one NanED speaker provided a deep insight into state of the art in analysing pair distribution function (PDF) using X-ray powder diffraction and 3D-PDF. Hands-on tutorials complemented the lectures. Most of the tutorials and lectures were recorded and will be made accessible to the NanED consortium and external people through the NanED website.