Rourkela: The six-day International School and Workshop on Crystallography and Rietveld Refinement Analysis was inaugurated at National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) on Monday, bringing together leading scientists from India and Europe, along with nearly 80 participants from reputed institutions across the country.
Crystallography helps scientists understand how atoms and molecules are arranged within materials, while Rietveld refinement is an advanced analytical method used to decode X-ray diffraction patterns to precisely determine a material’s internal structure. These techniques are widely applied in the development of better medicines, stronger energy materials, improved batteries, nuclear materials, and next-generation device technologies.
The programme, being held from February 23 to 28, 2026, commenced in the presence of senior institute functionaries, including Prof. Ashok Kumar Turuk (Dean – Academic), Prof. S. K. Pratihar (Dean – SRICCE), Prof. J. P. Kar (Head, Department of Physics & Astronomy), Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar), Prof. Pitamber Mahanandia, and the Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Dillip Kumar Pradhan.
Three distinguished scientists from France—Prof. Massimo Nespolo (Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France), Prof. Juan Rodríguez-Carvajal (Institut Laue–Langevin, Grenoble, France), and Dr. Claire V. Colin (Institut Néel–CNRS & UGA, Grenoble, France)—are attending the programme in person and delivering lectures and tutorials. Other eminent foreign tutors from Germany and Spain joined the inaugural session online and will provide virtual training over the six-day programme. In addition, speakers from reputed institutes in India are also providing training to participants.
Participants—including PhD scholars, postdoctoral researchers, R&D professionals, and both young and senior faculty members from reputed organisations across the country—have joined the workshop to strengthen their expertise in crystallographic analysis and advanced diffraction techniques.
Explaining the workshop, Coordinator Prof. Pradhan said, “The workshop aims to build expertise in modern crystallographic techniques. By bringing together global experts and early-career researchers on a common academic platform, the initiative focuses on innovation and promotes high-quality crystallographic analysis in India. This international workshop strengthens India’s capabilities in advanced materials research by equipping young scientists with globally accepted analytical skills and supporting research in key sectors such as energy storage, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, ferroics, and multiferroics.”
The first three and a half days of the workshop are devoted to core crystallographic concepts, while the remaining two and a half days focus on the theoretical framework and strategic implementation of Rietveld refinement analysis through intensive sessions. The programme is sponsored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), and the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). The workshop will continue over the next five days with lectures, tutorials, and hands-on sessions led by national and international experts.
