The AIC School 2026, organized under the auspices of the Italian Crystallographic Association (AIC), is a four-day educational event dedicated to exploring the world of crystallography, from its fundamental principles to its most innovative applications.
Hosted in the beautiful city of Bari (Italy), the School aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical foundations and the latest developments shaping modern crystallographic research.
Designed for young scientists, PhD students, and early-career researchers, the School offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from leading experts in the field. Through lectures, computing sessions, and discussions, participants will gain valuable insights into diffraction methods, structure determination, computational tools, and emerging frontiers such as nanoscale materials analysis and artificial intelligence.
Participants will also be invited to present their crystallographic research through poster sessions or short oral contributions, with a limited number of slots available for very brief talks.
With its balanced mix of foundational teaching and exposure to cutting-edge topics, the AIC School 2026 promises to be an enriching experience, a place to learn, share, and envision the future of crystallography in advancing materials science and related fields.
The program is structured across four thematic days:
• Day 1 – Foundations of Crystallography
Introduction to essential crystallographic concepts, including the phase problem, featuring an opening lecture by Prof. Carmelo Giacovazzo, structural biology, and X-ray diffraction theory and experimental methods. The session also explores crystal lattices, unit cells, symmetry, and the role of educational infrastructure in advancing crystallographic research.
• Day 2 – Structure Solution: Methods and Computational Tools
Focus on methods for structure determination, including protein structures, X-ray powder and electron diffraction, complemented by computational solutions using advanced software packages such as SIR, Olex2, EXPO, and SUPERFLIP.
• Day 3 – Crystallography of Materials: Methods and Computational Tools
Exploration of advanced diffraction methods for complex materials, nanosystems and natural materials, including PDF analysis, integrated by the use of the SUNBIM software suite for materials characterization. The session also highlights the Quantum ESPRESSO package and the Cambridge Structural Database, emphasizing their important roles in modern structure analysis.
• Day 4 – Broad Perspectives in Crystallography
A perspective on the broad and multifaceted field of crystallography, spanning topics from topological analysis and pharmaceutical relevance to structure–property relationships, real crystal imperfections and crystallization techniques, highlighting its transformative role in advancing modern scientific research.
This event is proudly sponsored by:
