Industrial Group of the BCA

British Crystallographic Association

Industrial Group

The British Crystallographic Association was founded in 1982 to promote the use and study of crystallography. The BCA has four specific interest groups, covering chemical crystallography, physical crystallography, b iological structures and industrial applications of crystallography. A quarterly magazine is distributed to members. The Industrial Group's Constitution requires the group to be "..concerned with the introduction, development and practical application of crystallographic concepts and techniques in an industrial or applied context relating to the structure and properties of materials. "

X-Ray diffraction is a versatile industrial technique with many applicati ons as an analytical tool, or for production control. Many industrial users of diffraction techniques are not crystallographers and rely on commercially available software and in-built control of the hardware to achieve solutions to their problems. Traditionally, if they have had contacts with other users, it has been through manufacturers' User Groups or within different branches of their employer's company. The Industrial Group offers an alternative contact route. All industrial users of diffracti on techniques will find that the Industrial Group's activities cover topics of interest and which are of immediate practical application.

Each year the Industrial Group organises meetings and workshops as follows:

Two half-day sessions of formal presentations of research and review papers at the BCA Spring Meeting. This is a three or four day symposium of international standing which is supported by all four interest groups and includes inter-disciplinary worksho ps, poster sessions, etc. A commercial exhibition for equipment suppliers provides a chance to see and compare what is available.
One-day meetings on specific techniques. At any of these, the main topic is introduced by an acknowledged expert whose task is to make the subject accessible and usable for new and more experienced users alike. Demonstrations often form part of these meetings and delegate participation is encouraged
An Autumn Meeting, usually early in November, of presentations on various aspects of applied industrial crystallography.

Meetings have been held on the following topics:


 line profile analysis    use of Rietveld technique,      thin film techniques

 public domain software,  XRD applied to novel materials, quality assurance

 preferred orientation,   quantitative analysis,          sample preparation

 line profile analysis,   high temperature studies,       data collection 

 industrial applications  basic crystallo

graphy course

and in association with JCPDS-ICDD, courses on the use of powder diffraction file for both beginners and experienced users.
For a more detailed list of meetings and links to reports click this link to complete meeting index

Full details of the Group's activities and membership may be obtained from the Industrial Group Secretary/Treasurer

Last updated 26 August 2002