Acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of the process of structural characterization of materials using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) techniques.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques are the most powerful tools available to solid-state scientists for the structural characterization of materials. These techniques are the backbone of Crystallography and have been essential for the study of a wide variety of materials, from minerals to biological macromolecules such as DNA and proteins, including semiconductors, catalysts, ceramics, metal complexes, natural products, pharmaceutical ingredients, among other important materials.

In particular, X-ray diffraction techniques on polycrystalline samples are particularly important as analytical techniques in processes in which the identification and quantification of the components of solid aggregates is required. These techniques allow to follow structural changes in materials when they are subjected to various treatments (chemical, humidity, temperature, pressure, etc.). They are also used in the characterization of nanomaterials since they allow the determination of the nanometric size of their crystalline domains as well as other important microstructural aspects of materials. Also, the crystal structure of numerous interesting materials has been determined using X-ray powder diffraction data.

Initially, this school was intended to be a Colombo-Venezuelan School of Crystallography and to be part of a course of the joint graduate program of three universities in the coffee triangle (“eje cafetero”) of Colombia: Universidad de Caldas, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, and Universidad del Quindío. After some consideration, it was decided to take the opportunity of opening the school to students from other regions of Colombia and Ecuador, the other neighboring country. Participants from other Latin American countries are also welcome. The support provided by the IUCr and the ICDD will be used to help students and early career scientists in covering their ground transportation and accommodation expenses.

Contact:

• Info: escuelaintern.cristalografia@gmail.com 

The ISCr-Manizales 2023 Organizing Committee fully supports and promotes gender equality in accordance with the IUCr policy stated in https://www.iucr.org/iucr/principles-and-policies/gender-balance. We will ensure gender equality in the Organizing Committee, among the instructors and participants, and pay special attention to the gender balance in evaluating bursary applications. In accordance with IUCr policy, the gender statistics of the school can be obtained after the school by contacting the Chair of the ISCr-Manizales 2023 Organizing Committee. Further information can be found on the website of IUCr’s Gender Equity and Diversity Committee GEDC (https://www.iucr.org/iucr/governance/advisory-committees/gedc).

The Organizing Committee of ISCr-Manizales 2023 will observe the policy of non-discrimination and affirms the right and freedom of the participants to associate in international scientific activity without regard to such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political stance, gender, sex, or age, in accordance with the Statutes of the International Council for Science. At ISCr-Manizales 2023 no barriers will exist which would prevent the attendance of bona fide participants. 

All students, young researchers, and all professional scientists working on Powder Diffraction and related fields are welcome, regardless of their ethnic origin, race, citizenship, language, political views, gender, sex, sexual preferences, physical disabilities, and age. We strive to create a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion.