ANSTO celebrates the International Year of Crystallography

The study of crystallography - the only technique for examining the arrangement and structure of matter or materials at the atomic or molecular level - is around 100 years old. In light of this, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has declared 2014 the International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014).

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is the home of crystallography in Australia, using the technique to explore the atomic world looking for answers to significant medical, environmental and industrial questions. While the official opening ceremony of IYCr2014 took place in Paris on 20 January, ANSTO is planning to support the year with a number of its own events.

Dr Helen Maynard-Casely, an instrument scientist at ANSTO, has launched a blog which will post a crystal structure a day; so far these structures have been as diverse as cocoa butter and adrenaline. ANSTO will also host various research events to increase public understanding of the benefits of crystallography.

“The technique is essential for the development of almost all new materials,” said Dr Maynard-Casely, “but it isn’t necessarily one that the public is familiar with, which is why a global celebration is such an important initiative.”

She noted that crystallography “forms the backbone of a wide range of scientific research in a wide range of industries”, supporting “everything from research into new pharmaceuticals, to agro-foodstuffs, aeronautics, computing, mining and space sciences”.

For more information on the IYCr2014, visit http://www.iycr2014.org/.