welcome

We are delighted to invite you to the I Latin American Powder Diffraction Conference (LAPDiC), scheduled for October 13-14 in Fortaleza, Brazil. This specialized gathering will serve as a satellite event to the prestigious LACA-ABCr 2025 Meeting.

LAPDiC

LAPDiC represents a groundbreaking forum dedicated entirely to powder diffraction techniques and their applications across diverse fields, including materials science, pharmaceuticals, energy materials, catalysis, phase transitions, nanomaterials, and industrial applications. The conference aims to foster collaboration among researchers, students, and professionals utilizing X-ray, neutron, and electron powder diffraction, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and network building within the Latin American scientific community.

We are also proud to offer a comprehensive pre-conference school on the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis on October 11-12. This intensive course combines theoretical foundations with hands-on practical sessions led by world-renowned experts. Participants will develop advanced data analysis and structure determination skills, complementing the main conference experience.

Join us for this landmark scientific event as we advance powder diffraction research in Latin America!

The Latin American Powder Diffraction Conference (LAPDiC) will be an event in Latin America entirely dedicated to all aspects of the analysis of polycrystalline materials using diffraction methods (X-rays, neutrons, and electrons). Inspired by prestigious conferences in other regions associated with the International Union of Crystallography, LAPDiC aims to become an itinerary conference for researchers in the field across Latin America and beyond, serving as an ideal platform for presenting and disseminating new developments in powder diffraction instrumentation, analysis techniques, and scientific applications.

LAPDiC will bring together experts from universities, research institutes, and industry partners to share their knowledge, discuss current trends, and tackle challenges in powder diffraction. The event will provide a unique opportunity for professionals in the region to network, foster collaborations, and build a more robust scientific community.

The LAPDiC organizing committee, in collaboration with the Latin American Crystallographic Association (LACA) and the Brazilian Crystallographic Association (ABCr), is thrilled to invite you to Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, for the inaugural edition of the Latin American Powder Diffraction Conference.

LAPDiC 2025

The Local Organizing Committee and the LAPDiC International Advisory Board are crafting an exciting program for LAPDiC 2025, covering the latest advancements in crystallography and related sciences. The program is designed to appeal to both emerging and established scientists and representatives from instrumentation companies and technical providers.

The program will feature 8 microsymposia, 4 keynote speakers, 4 plenary lectures, and 2 prestigious awards (the companies can provide these). It will encompass a wide range of traditional and innovative topics of interest to the powder diffraction community. These topics will include materials science, pharmaceuticals, novel methodologies, data analysis, pair distribution function, machine learning, and instrumentation development.

We encourage you to explore the program and submit your abstract for oral or poster presentations. This will allow you to share your scientific and technical findings with colleagues and engage with key figures in the field.

LAPDiC 2025 will be a vibrant two-day scientific conference, offering numerous learning opportunities across all facets of powder crystallography, complemented by commercial exhibitions featuring the latest in scientific instrumentation and software solutions.

Additional events will include a two-day pair distribution function (PDF) analysis school, specialized user meetings, hands-on workshops (ICDD, CSD), lunch sessions, and a dynamic social program. These activities will provide scientists from Latin America and beyond with ample opportunities to meet, connect, and exchange ideas – all set against the stunning coastal landscape of Fortaleza, a city known for its breathtaking beaches, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere.

We hope everyone will enjoy a stimulating scientific program and a pleasant stay. We welcome you to Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, for the first Latin American Powder Diffraction Conference.

Microsymposia

Machine Learning and AI in XRPD

The advent of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing powder diffraction. This microsymposium will explore how ML and AI algorithms are being integrated into data processing, phase identification, structure determination, and quantitative analysis workflows. Topics include automated peak fitting, large-scale dataset analysis, and predictive modeling for material discovery. Contributions focusing on algorithm development, applications, and the future of AI-driven diffraction are welcome.

Total Scattering Methods for Materials Characterization

Total scattering methods, including pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, have become essential tools for probing local and long-range order in crystalline and amorphous materials. This microsymposium invites discussions on cutting-edge techniques, instrumentation, and software for total scattering studies. Applications to complex materials, such as glasses, nanomaterials, and disordered systems, will also be highlighted.

Structure Determination and Refinement Using XRPD Data

Advances in X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) have enabled the determination and refinement of increasingly complex crystal structures. This session focuses on innovative methodologies for structure determination, including ab initio techniques, Rietveld refinement, and complementary computational tools. Case studies showcasing applications in pharmaceuticals, energy materials, and functional crystals are encouraged.

Multi-phase Identification and Quantification

The characterization of multi-phase systems is critical in catalysis, cement, and metallurgy fields. This microsymposium will address recent developments in phase identification and quantitative phase analysis using XRPD. Topics include advancements in peak deconvolution, the application of whole-pattern methods, and integrating diffraction with other characterization techniques.

Neutron Powder Diffraction

Neutron powder diffraction offers unique insights into material properties, such as magnetic structure, hydrogen location, and isotopic substitution. This session will emphasize the distinct advantages of neutron scattering, recent developments in instrumentation, and applications in emerging research areas. Contributions demonstrating the synergy of neutron diffraction with complementary techniques are welcome.

Synchrotron X-ray Powder Diffraction

The high brilliance and tunability of synchrotron X-rays have revolutionized powder diffraction. This microsymposium will showcase advances in synchrotron-based XRPD, including in situ and in operando studies, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments, and microdiffraction techniques. Discussions on beamline development, data quality, and new scientific frontiers will also be included.

Polymorphism in Organic and Metal-organic Compounds

Polymorphism plays a critical role in pharmaceuticals, functional materials, and molecular crystals. This session will explore the use of XRPD in studying structural diversity and phase transformations in organic and metal-organic compounds. Contributions addressing challenges in phase identification, quantitative analysis, and the relationship between polymorphism and material properties are welcome.

General Interest XRPD

This open session invites contributions spanning all aspects of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), providing a platform for diverse and interdisciplinary topics. From instrument development to unconventional applications of XRPD, this microsymposium offers a forum to share novel methodologies, experimental results, and theoretical insights.

Program

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 Saturday, Oct. 11thSunday, Oct. 12thMonday, Oct. 13thTuesday, Oct. 14th
TimeLAPDiC PDF SchoolLAPDiC
08:30
am		RegistrationRegistration
09:00
am		Scientific possibilities of PDFPDGgui modeling example 1 basic setup and refinement

Plenary I

Simon Billinge

Frontiers of local structure determination and prospects for AI to extend them

Plenary III

Robert Dinnebier

Linking Powder Diffraction to Art and Conservation: A synergy story

10:00
am		Coffee break
10:30
am		PDF theory and basicPDFgui 2: more complicated structures

Keynote I

Cristiane Rodella

The Brazilian synchrotron facility for powder X-ray diffraction experiments: PAINEIRA beamline

Keynote III

Verônica de Carvalho Teixeira

Carnaúba beamline: Advancing X-ray nanoscopy at Sirius

11h30
am		Data acquisition at a synchrotron and on lab instrumentsPDFGui 3: 2 phasesOral presentationsOral presentations
12:30
am		Lunch
14:00
02:00pm		Python setup software installationPDFgui 4: T-dependent data

Keynote II

Alan Coelho

TOPAS – New features of Version 8

Keynote IV

Viviane Antonio

Unravelling crystal structures with neutron powder diffraction

15:00
03:00pm		Data reduction with PDFgetX3 from example synchrotron and lab data to get the PDFPDFgui 5: user’s choiceOral presentationsOral presentations
16:00
04:00pm		Coffee break
16:30
04:30pm		Model-independent interpretation of the PDFPDFgui 6: user’s data

Plenary II

Irene Margiolaki

Peptide and Protein Powders: Harnessing the Power of Laboratory and Synchrotron-XRPD and Advanced Methodologies

Plenary IV

Peter Khalifah

New opportunities in powder diffraction

17:30
05:30pm		PDFgui modeling introduction, tips, and tricksPoster SessionClosing ceremony
18:00
06:00pm		PDFitc.org  Social event
21:00
09:00pm		    

Scientific committee

Claudio Aguilar

Diego German Lamas

Eduardo Granado

Elvira Zeballos

Fabio Furlan Ferreira (chair)

Graciela Díaz de Delgado

José Saavedra Arias

Lauro Bucio

Leandro Félix Bufaiçal

Leopoldo Suescun

Magna Maria Monteiro

Mario Alberto Macias Lopez

Miguel Delgado

Vinícius Danilo Bezzon

Flávia Regina Estrada

Susana Conconi

Organizing Committee

  • Fabio Furlan Ferreira – UFABC (Chair)
  • Alan Silva de Menezes – UFMA
  • Alejandro Ayala – UFC
  • Beatriz Guimarães -ICC/FIOCRUZ
  • Claudia Cristina Gatto – UnB
  • Cristiano de Oliveira – USP
  • Cristina Nonato – USP
  • Eduardo Granado Monteiro da Silva – UNICAMP
  • Guinther Kellermann – UFPR
  • Hamilton Barbosa Napolitano – UEG
  • Javier Ellena – USP
  • Narcizo Marques de Souza Neto – CNPEM
  • Renata Diniz -UFMG
  • Ricardo Donizeth dos Reis – CNPEM
  • Sandra Pulcinelli – UNESP

Local
Committee

  • Alejandro Pedro Ayala – UFC
  • Alexandre Magno Rodrigues Teixeira – UECE
  • Bruno Sousa Araújo – UFC
  • Carlos William de Araújo Paschoal – UFC
  • Davino Machado Andrade Neto – IFCE
  • Gilberto Dantas Saraiva – UECE
  • José Alves de Lima Júnior – UFC
  • Laura Maria Teodorio Vidal – UFC
  • Mayra Alexandra Padrón Gómez – UFC
  • Paulo de Tarso Cavalcante Freire – UFC
  • Yara Santiago de Oliveira – UNILAB

Conference venue

Centro de Convivência da UFC

The conference will take place at the Convivence Center of the Universidade Federal do Ceará, located at the Pici Campus. This modern venue offers excellent facilities for scientific events, including spacious conference halls, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and comfortable breakout areas designed to foster networking and collaboration. Its strategic location within the university campus provides easy access to additional amenities, ensuring a productive and inspiring environment for all participants.

Gender, inclusivity, and diversity statement

The organizing committee for the 1st Latin American Powder Diffraction Conference reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity throughout the conference and associated school. This aligns with the goals of the International Union of Crystallography, which seeks to stimulate and advance structural sciences and foster exchanges among scientists both in the region and globally.
 
To realize this commitment, we will ensure gender balance and geographical diversity within the International Scientific Committee. We believe this approach will minimize bias and effectively implement the following policy.

For LAPDiC 2025, we are committed to achieving the following:

  • Ensuring that a minimum of 40% of chairs in microsymposia and oral speakers are female.
  • Providing at least one oral presentation from a scientist representing each Latin American country attending the meeting.
  • Distributing bursaries for young scientists while prioritizing geographical diversity and gender equality. We will allocate these bursaries by gender among applicants only if at least 30% of the applications are submitted by women.
These initiatives are designed to support the professional growth and advancement of every scientist in attendance, fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment where ideas can be shared with the utmost respect.
 
The organizing committee fully endorses the IUCr Gender Equity and Diversity Statement and the IUCr Gender Equity and Diversity Committee Code of Conduct. We strongly encourage all attendees to familiarize themselves with and adhere to these guidelines. However, the LAPDiC 2025 organizing committee reserves the right to prohibit attendance for those who violate the code of conduct.