Workshop report: Structural resolution by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction + Remote control of a single-crystal diffractometer

Rim Benali-Cherif
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A workshop on Structural resolution by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction + Remote control of a single crystal diffractometer took place at Abbes Lagrour-Khenchela University (Algeria), on 6 and 7 November 2022, thanks to the unfailing support of the university Rector and the support of Faculty of Science and Technology staff, and especially to the immeasurable efforts of the local organizing committee.

In a studious and relaxed atmosphere, more than 140 participants present at Khenchela (we recorded 221 pre-registrations) enjoyed two days of a workshop dense in conferences and workshops, and intense in scientific and technical exchanges. These crystallographic days par excellence were a great success, and brought together students, doctoral students, researchers and industrialists from around 30 universities and research establishments. The mornings were devoted to courses and conferences and the afternoons to workshops, led by professors who are among the best crystallographic specialists in Algeria.

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Participant-to-participant and speaker-to-participant interactions were numerous during the workshops and theoretical sessions, allowing discussion of recent advances in the field of single-crystal and powder XRD. The accessibility and availability of the trainers was a major asset of this workshop. 

[Fig. 2]Workshops (single crystal and powder).

The workshop was embellished by a very nice exhibition of used equipment and museum pieces for X-ray diffraction from the research unit of Chimie de l’Environnement et Moléculaire Structurale (CHEMS), moderated by Professor Merazig Hocine. This museum allowed participants to see, ask questions and understand the functioning of these strategic devices.

[Fig. 3]Diffraction Museum Exhibition.

The 'Remote lab' project, an idea for a remote laboratory launched by Professor Claude Lecomte on 31 August 2022, was presented during this meeting. During this workshop and for the first time in Algeria, a remote measurement was carried out on a single-crystal diffractometer of the Laboratory of Cristallographie, Résonance Magnétique et Modélisations (CRM2), piloted remotely from Abbes Laghrour Khenchela University by Dr El-Eulmi Bendeif.

[Fig. 4]Remote lab.

Presentation of AfCA

During this meeting, Dr Rim Benali-Cherif, president of the workshop, presented and highlighted the actions and roles played by the African Crystallographic Association (AfCA) in the promotion of crystallography on the African continent, due to the quality of the educational interventions and the support. These were able to capture the audience, thus allowing the effective transfer of knowledge.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Universities of Khenchela, Jijel, Constantine 1, Bouira and Lorraiane (France), and SINAL Algeria and la direction générale des oeuvres universitaires for their support.

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6 December 2022

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