Bragg Centenary 2015 and the International Year that was

Crystal structure analysis began in 1912 with the first papers of William Lawrence Bragg. Just three years later, in 1915, William Lawrence Bragg and his father, William Henry Bragg, were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in formulating the relationship between the atomic structure of a crystal and its X-ray diffraction pattern. Their work has revolutionised our understanding of the structure of matter ranging from minerals, pharmaceutical materials and catalysts to DNA, proteins and viruses.

100 years, 100 papers

To commemorate 100 years since the award of the Nobel Prize to the Braggs for the first use of X-rays to determine a crystal structure, we will aim to publish 100 papers in IUCrJ. The first 100 articles submitted to IUCrJ using the voucher code below, and accepted for publication following peer review, will be published as platinum open access (i.e. there will be no charges for open-access publication).

Voucher code: dis-63gwUYye619PkvwixPj

Keeping the IYCr2014 flame alight

The year 2014 was declared the International Year of Crystallography by the United Nations to raise awareness in the world at large about the importance of crystallography in the modern world. Through an incredible variety of activities worldwide, that objective has been brought to life for thousands of schoolchildren, university students and the general public. Many events have been sponsored by UNESCO and the IUCr, supported by industrial and academic sponsors, and made real by a host of willing volunteers. They have ranged from science fairs for schoolchildren, through professional-level OpenLab workshops and training sessions, to international summit meetings to shape future policy. They have ignited a fire in the new generation, most especially in parts of the developing world where structural science is still an infant science. Crystallography now matters ... more!

To build on these successes, the IUCr is embarking on an ambitious set of new initiatives to ensure that this newly kindled flame does not go out. More OpenLabs will be commissioned; more sustained efforts will be made in capacity building; more effort will go into public outreach activities.

Crystallography for the next generation: the legacy of IYCr

A launch conference, entitled "Crystallography for the next generation: the legacy of IYCr", will be held at the prestigious venue of the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology of Morocco in Rabat on 22-24 April 2015. The "IYCr legacy" conference will be held in lieu of a "Closing" ceremony for the IYCr. Register here to attend free of charge.

The IYCr Legacy Fund

The IUCr is pleased to announce the launch of the IYCr Legacy Fund, a fund established to enable the continuation of many initiatives successfully launched during IYCr2014. The aim of the IYCr Legacy Fund is to support the following:

• to continue promotion of the fundamental role crystallography plays in the different branches of science including chemistry, mineralogy, physics, biology, medicine, materials science, cultural heritage and geosciences;
• to target governments by interacting with them and advising on the design of policies that will support the establishment and operation of crystallography teaching, ranging from modernising existing crystallography teaching material in schools and universities to developing closer collaborative ties with crystallography centres across the world as well as synchrotron and other large-scale facilities;
• to continue to increase awareness of the way crystallography underpins most of the technological developments in modern society and also its role in cultural and heritage and art history via public conferences, sponsorship of poster exhibitions highlighting the usefulness and marvels of crystallography and by the commissioning and submission of articles to the press, television and other media on the contribution crystallography makes to the global economy.

“Of course, a lasting legacy from the International Year of Crystallography is not just related to outreach activities taking place during the Year,” said Peter Strickland, Executive Managing Editor, IUCr. “It is also about creating lasting initiatives in our schools, colleges, universities and other places of learning to continue the message about the importance of crystallography. We want to see a nation of youngsters being inquisitive about crystallography and governments enabling schools and colleges with opportunities to teach crystallography alongside the core science disciplines currently featured. This can’t happen overnight; however, with the launch of the IYCr Legacy Fund we stand a real chance to accomplish these goals, by continuing many of the initiatives launched during the Year.”

To donate to the IYCr Legacy Fund, please go here.