Powder diffraction, along with its affiliated techniques have evolved greatly in recent decades. Its domain is no longer primarily limited to qualitative and quantitative analysis of mineralogical and industrial samples, and advances in instrumentation and the development of new methodologies have increasingly been used in studies that address contemporary scientific and socially important challenges. Significant fields of activity now include the study of energy and other functional materials, polymorphism, various catalytic systems and mechanistic details of phase changes, gas solid reactions and interactions, using some powder diffraction related technique. The latter including structure determination, Rietveld refinement, non-ambient studies, as well as total scattering-based methods which have extended the reach of powder diffraction to include short range order phenomena, normally associated with amorphous or nano materials. Furthermore, reflectometry, small angle scattering, neutron-based methods and electron crystallography, all important to materials science should all be well represented.

The Southern African Powder Diffraction Conference will be directed at solid state scientists from chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and related fields such as crystallography, spectroscopy, nano-technology and catalysis. The scientific sessions will include invited presentations and contributed oral presentations as well as a poster session.

Depending on the successful securing of sponsorships, a limited number of bursaries for students and other young scientists may become available. Applications for partial funding will have to be supported by a supervisor or a senior colleague. Applicants can click the relevant button on the registration form. Any support granted will be conditional on the acceptance of the abstract submitted by the applicant. Early submission of abstracts is encouraged for those delegates seeking support.                                                                             

The Southern Africa Powder Diffraction Conference 2023 follows a very successful meeting held in January 2014 at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The intention of this meeting is to firstly provide a forum in which the greater Southern Africa scientific community can get exposure to recent developments in powder diffraction, as presented by internationally recognized leaders. And secondly, an opportunity for the African researchers, to present their own work in these areas to their national and international peers.

This time the conference will be held at Midgard Country Estate, located about 85 km from Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and 70 km from Hosea Kutako International Airport. On 16 and 17 April a Topas workshop will be presented, followed by the conference from 17 – 21 April 2023.

We would like to invite you to participate in this exciting event and share your knowledge with scientists from all over the world. It will also give you the opportunity to explore Namibia, a rare and beautiful country in Southern Africa.

Prof Dave Billing and Dr Bernd Hinrichsen

Chairpersons of the Organising Committee