What is Crystallography? 

Crystallography is a scientific discipline that deals with the study of crystals and their atomic or molecular structures. It is a branch of mineralogy, chemistry, physics, and materials science. Crystals are solid materials whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern known as a crystal lattice.

Crystallographers use various techniques to analyze the arrangement of atoms or molecules within crystals. X-ray crystallography is one of the most common methods used to determine the atomic structure of crystals. In this technique, a crystal is exposed to X-rays, and the diffraction pattern of the X-rays that are scattered by the crystal's atomic lattice is recorded. By analyzing this diffraction pattern, crystallographers can deduce the positions of the atoms within the crystal, their bonding patterns, and their spatial arrangement.

Crystallography has a wide range of applications in various scientific fields, including:

Chemistry: Determining the structures of molecules and their interactions within crystals, which aids in drug design, materials synthesis, and understanding chemical reactions.
 
Physics: Studying the properties of crystals and their behavior under different conditions, which can be crucial for understanding material properties and phase transitions.
 
Geology: Analyzing the crystal structures of minerals to identify and classify them and gain insights into geological processes.
 
Material Science: Investigating the atomic arrangement in materials, such as metals, alloys, and semiconductors, to improve their properties and develop new materials.
 
Biology: Determining the structures of biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, to understand their functions and aid in drug development.
  

Overall, crystallography plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the atomic and molecular world, leading to numerous practical applications in science and technology.

History of ACA Archiving Efforts

The American Crystallographic Association (ACA) advances, promotes and preserves crystallography, structural science, and allied disciplines for the benefit of humankind.  Through books, videos and online resources the ACA has been promoting and preserving structural science since 1949.  The AVL is the newest resource we have started developing to continue our mission.  

 


ACA History Project

The ACA History Project showcases and preserves the history of crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and structural science through online access, articles in ACA RefleXions quarterly magazine, and videos to our YouTube channel.