The 2026 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference will be held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and features two parallel scientific sessions one focused on life sciences and the other on chemistry and materials scienc with shared keynote lectures bringing together the full community for interdisciplinary exchange.

• Opening Reception, September 15
• Parallel Scientific Sessions, September 16-18.
• Poster Session with Student Poster Contest, September 16th
• Conference Banquet, September 17th
• Tours of LCLS and SSRL, September 18th (advanced registration required)

To Register or learn more visit: https://cvent.me/Eaamay

A Pre-conference Workshop on Computational Tools for Structure-based Drug Design will be held on September 15th, with seperate registration.

On behalf of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), it is with immense excitement and joy that we cordially extend our warmest invitation to you to join the IUCr for the Twenty-Seventh Congress and General Assembly, set to be held in the magnificent city of Calgary, located in the heart of Alberta, Canada from August 11th-18th, 2026.

Calgary, a city renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and warm hospitality, has been chosen as the host for this remarkable occasion. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes and boasting a rich cultural heritage, this vibrant metropolis promises to provide an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

The 19th International Conference on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS2026) will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 21 to 26 June 2026. Organized under the auspices of the International X-ray Absorption Society (IXAS), this triennial event serves as the foremost global forum for researchers and practitioners in the field of X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

XAFS2026 will bring together scientists, beamline specialists, and interdisciplinary experts to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and explore emerging frontiers in XAFS-related research. The scientific program will encompass eleven main topics:

• Advanced X-ray spectroscopies

• Computational and theoretical methods

• Materials science

• Catalysis

• Environmental sciences

• Biological systems

• Geosciences

• Energy-related applications

• Industrial and applied research

• Instrumentation and beamline development

• Cultural heritage and archaeology

Hosted in one of Southeast Asia's most culturally vibrant cities, XAFS2026 is committed to promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and international engagement. The conference welcomes participation from all career stages and geographic regions.

For further details, please visit the official conference website: https://xafs2026.org/XAFS2026/

In drug discovery, Virtual Screening (VS) is a widely used computational method to search libraries of small molecules for hit identification, lead optimization, and scaffold hopping. Virtual Screening can reduce research time and cost by using two different approaches: Structure-Based Virtual Screening (SBVS) and Ligand-Based Virtual Screening (LBVS). 

What we will cover

In this virtual workshop, we will familiarise you with the Hermes GUI and learn how to set up and run a virtual screening campaign in GOLD. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

You will learn:

- Brief overview of structure-based virtual screening.

- Basics of the Hermes interface, the CCDC’s 3D visualizer for proteins.

- Cavity detection and extraction in Hermes.

- Step-by-step set-up of a virtual screening simulation in GOLD.

- Analysis of virtual screening results.

- Protein-ligand interactions insights using hotspots via Superstar. 

- The workshop will be recorded and all registered participants will have access to the recording.

The Fourth Pan-African Conference on Crystallography (PCCr4), to be held in Algiers, Algeria, in 2025, represents a key event for crystallography in Africa. Building on previous conferences in Cameroon (2016), Ghana, and Kenya (2023), PCCr4 will bring together researchers, scientists, and students from across the continent and beyond to share knowledge, discuss recent advancements, and explore diverse applications of crystallography and structural science. You can find more information here.

2025 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC)

Hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory
October 9–12, 2025

On behalf of the Conference Committee, we are delighted to invite you to 82nd annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC). This year’s conference will be held October 9–12, 2025 at Brookhaven National Laboratory, on New York’s beautiful Long Island.
 

The Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference is one of the longest-running scientific meetings in North America focused on the advancement of structural science through diffraction-based methods. Bridging both life sciences and materials sciences, the conference brings together researchers who utilize laboratory-based instruments, X-ray light sources, electron diffraction, and neutron scattering to explore the structure and dynamics of matter. It serves as a vibrant forum for sharing recent scientific breakthroughs, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and highlighting innovations across experimental and computational frontiers

This year’s program features a diverse and timely selection of breakout sessions, reflecting key areas of growth in the field. Topics include energy storage, emphasizing structural insights that enable next-generation energy technologies; AI and its applications in the development of emergent materials; novel materials with transformative properties; and the effects of extreme environments on structures, reveling details on dynamic processes and molecular motion that lead to biomolecular functions and a better understanding of complex soft materials.

Conference Web Page and Registration:  

https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/index.php 

Important dates:

April 21, 2025               General registration opens
July 31, 2025                Deadline to submit an abstract for an oral/poster presentation
September 19, 2025      General registration closes

Pre-event workshops:

PDF 101: A Hands on Tutorial to Total Scattering Methods (organizers: Milinda Abeykoon, Daniel Olds)

Hands-on Workshop: Crystal Clear Insights: Mastering Protein Crystallization (organizers: Crissy Traver, Vivian Stojanoff)

Evening Events:

Brookhaven National Lab facility tour.
Friday, October 10, 2025
https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/nsls2tour.php

Banquet Dinner
Danfords Hotel and Marina
25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

 

Awards Dinner
Charles B. Wang Center
100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

If you are looking to improve your Mercury skills and upgrade your structure visualization and analysis tools, then this free, 90-minute, hands-on workshop is for you!

This virtual workshop will include examples of porous materials, in particular metal-organic framework (MOF) structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Such structures have a variety of applications, including designing new energetic or magnetic materials, new catalysts, porous frameworks for gas storage and even drugs.

What we will cover

We will focus on tools from the CSD Software designed to enhance and assist the visualization and analysis of structural data. You will learn some tips and tricks for using a range of functionality in the desktop molecular visualization software Mercury, with spotlight on some of the new features. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

You will learn:

- Which subsets of the CSD are available, how to access them in ConQuest, Mercury and the CSD Python API, and how they can help you in your research.

- How to visualize porous materials effectively in Mercury.

- How to analyse pore space in your structures using Pore Analyser.

- Applications of the disorder visualization feature, including recent advances and integrations with other functionality available in Mercury.

And more Mercury tips and tricks!

The workshop will be recorded and all registered participants will have access to the recording. 

This intensive three-day workshop offers a thorough introduction to modern powder diffraction techniques, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. The program is designed for graduate students, researchers, and professionals aiming to deepen their understanding and hands-on skills in phase identification, quantitative analysis, and structure determination using powder X-ray diffraction data.

The course begins with the fundamental principles of powder diffraction and qualitative phase analysis, including the use of databases and software (PDF-5+, JADEPro and Qualx2.0). Day 2 focuses on quantitative phase analysis, structure solution, and Rietveld refinement, supported by guided exercises using EXPO and TOPAS software. The final day explores advanced topics such as total scattering, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, and microstructural characterization through size-strain analysis.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in practical sessions aimed at developing autonomy in data interpretation, profile fitting, and structure modelling using widely adopted software packages in the field.

This intensive three-day workshop offers a thorough introduction to modern powder diffraction techniques, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. The program is designed for graduate students, researchers, and professionals aiming to deepen their understanding and hands-on skills in phase identification, quantitative analysis, and structure determination using powder X-ray diffraction data.

The course begins with the fundamental principles of powder diffraction and qualitative phase analysis, including the use of databases and software (PDF-5+, JADEPro and Qualx2.0). Day 2 focuses on quantitative phase analysis, structure solution, and Rietveld refinement, supported by guided exercises using EXPO and TOPAS software. The final day explores advanced topics such as total scattering, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, and microstructural characterization through size-strain analysis.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in practical sessions aimed at developing autonomy in data interpretation, profile fitting, and structure modelling using widely adopted software packages in the field.

What we will cover

In this virtual workshop, we will familiarise you with the Hermes GUI and learn how to set up and run a virtual screening campaign in GOLD. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

This virtual workshop will include examples of porous materials, in particular metal-organic framework (MOF) structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Such structures have a variety of applications, including designing new energetic or magnetic materials, new catalysts, porous frameworks for gas storage and even drugs.

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What we will cover

We will focus on tools from the CSD Software designed to enhance and assist the visualization and analysis of structural data. You will learn some tips and tricks for using a range of functionality in the desktop molecular visualization software Mercury, with spotlight on some of the new features. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

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You will learn:

- Which subsets of the CSD are available, how to access them in ConQuest, Mercury and the CSD Python API, and how they can help you in your research.

- How to visualize porous materials effectively in Mercury.

- How to analyse pore space in your structures using Pore Analyser.

- Applications of the disorder visualization feature, including recent advances and integrations with other functionality available in Mercury.

And more Mercury tips and tricks!

The workshop will be recorded and all registered participants will have access to the recording.Â

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2025 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC)

Hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory
October 9â€"12, 2025

On behalf of the Conference Committee, we are delighted to invite you to 82nd annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC). This year’s conference will be held October 9â€"12, 2025 at Brookhaven National Laboratory, on New York’s beautiful Long Island.

The Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference is one of the longest-running scientific meetings in North America focused on the advancement of structural science through diffraction-based methods. Bridging both life sciences and materials sciences, the conference brings together researchers who utilize laboratory-based instruments, X-ray light sources, electron diffraction, and neutron scattering to explore the structure and dynamics of matter. It serves as a vibrant forum for sharing recent scientific breakthroughs, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and highlighting innovations across experimental and computational frontiers

This year’s program features a diverse and timely selection of breakout sessions, reflecting key areas of growth in the field. Topics include energy storage, emphasizing structural insights that enable next-generation energy technologies; AI and its applications in the development of emergent materials; novel materials with transformative properties; and the effects of extreme environments on structures, reveling details on dynamic processes and molecular motion that lead to biomolecular functions and a better understanding of complex soft materials.

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Conference Web Page and Registration:Â Â

https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/index.phpÂ

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Important dates:

April 21, 2025Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â General registration opens
July 31, 2025Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Deadline to submit an abstract for an oral/poster presentation
September 19, 2025Â Â Â General registration closes

Pre-event workshops:

PDF 101: A Hands on Tutorial to Total Scattering Methods (organizers: Milinda Abeykoon, Daniel Olds)

Hands-on Workshop: Crystal Clear Insights: Mastering Protein Crystallization (organizers: Crissy Traver, Vivian Stojanoff)

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Evening Events:

Brookhaven National Lab facility tour.
Friday, October 10, 2025
https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/nsls2tour.php

Banquet Dinner
Danfords Hotel and Marina
25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

Awards Dinner
Charles B. Wang Center
100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

• Theoretical and experimental studies of electronic structure and dynamics
• Spectroscopy techniques (e.g. photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption/emission spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy)
• Spectromicroscopy (e.g. PEEM, STM, nanoARPES)
• Applications in various fields ranging from correlation physics and materials science to AMO science, chemistry and biology

This intensive three-day workshop offers a thorough introduction to modern powder diffraction techniques, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. The program is designed for graduate students, researchers, and professionals aiming to deepen their understanding and hands-on skills in phase identification, quantitative analysis, and structure determination using powder X-ray diffraction data.

The course begins with the fundamental principles of powder diffraction and qualitative phase analysis, including the use of databases and software (PDF-5+, JADEPro and Qualx2.0). Day 2 focuses on quantitative phase analysis, structure solution, and Rietveld refinement, supported by guided exercises using EXPO and TOPAS software. The final day explores advanced topics such as total scattering, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, and microstructural characterization through size-strain analysis.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in practical sessions aimed at developing autonomy in data interpretation, profile fitting, and structure modelling using widely adopted software packages in the field.

The Polish Academy of Sciences Crystallography Committee sets itself the goal of increasing students' motivation to acquire knowledge in the field of crystallography, which is an important element of education of graduates of natural sciences and engineering. Since 2014, the National Crystallography Olympiad has been organized cyclically under the patronage of the Committee. In 2025, the 6th edition of this competition will be held.

The official announcement of the results and award ceremony will take place on June 26, 2025, as part of the 66th Polish Crystallographic Meeting in Wrocław.

• Â Â Â AlphaFold Training: Master the use of AlphaFold for accurate protein structural determination.
• Â Â Â Drug Discovery: Learn to use protein structures (AlphaFold2 and experimentally solved structures) to screen small molecule compound libraries.
• Â Â Â Structural Analysis: Participate in practical sessions on protein structural analysis and interpretation.
• Â Â Â Expert Lectures: Gain insights from leading professionals in the field.
• Â Â Â Networking: Build connections with peers and experts.

The Polish Crystallographic Meeting, Scientific Workshop and Session of the Young Crystallographers Sections of PCrA will be held at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2 in Wrocław.

The Workshop is devoted to selected issues and problems of modern crystallography.

The Scientific Session of the Young Crystallographers Section of PCrAÂ is a forum for exchanging experiences addressed primarily to students, PhD students and young doctors (maximum 5 years after defense).

The topics of the Meeting include basic and applied research on the ideal and real structure of crystals carried out with the use of X-ray radiation obtained both with traditional methods and in synchrotrons, research with the use of neutrons and electrons, problems of symmetry, phase transformations and crystal growth, new research and computational methods and all other aspects of crystallography. The conference is an annual meeting place and a forum for exchanging ideas of all Polish crystallographers.

During the inauguration of the 66th Polish Crystallography Meeting, the winners of the 6th National Crystallography Olympiad will be decorated: http://olimpiadakrystalograficzna.pl.