IWPD 2025 – International Workshop on Powder Diffraction

IWPD 2025

International Workshop on Powder Diffraction
September 29 – October 1, 2025
Politecnico di Bari, Italy

Welcome to IWPD 2025 in Bari, Italy!

This intensive three-day workshop offers a thorough introduction to modern powder diffraction techniques, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. The program is designed for graduate students, researchers, and professionals aiming to deepen their understanding and hands-on skills in phase identification, quantitative analysis, and structure determination using powder X-ray diffraction data.

The course begins with the fundamental principles of powder diffraction and qualitative phase analysis, including the use of databases and software (PDF-5+, JADEPro and Qualx2.0). Day 2 focuses on quantitative phase analysis, structure solution, and Rietveld refinement, supported by guided exercises using EXPO and TOPAS software. The final day explores advanced topics such as total scattering, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, and microstructural characterization through size-strain analysis.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in practical sessions aimed at developing autonomy in data interpretation, profile fitting, and structure modelling using widely adopted software packages in the field.

Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2025
Location: Politecnico di Bari
Language: English
Participants: Limited to 120

Programme Schedule

Day	Start	End	Session	Speaker(s)
Day 1 Basics & Qualitative Analysis	08:30	09:00	Registration and Welcome
	09:00	09:15	Opening Remarks & Introduction	Cinzia Giannini, Director of the Institute of Crystallography - CNR; Piero Mastrorilli, DICATECh, Poliba
	09:15	10:00	Powder X-ray Diffraction: Theoretical Basic Concepts	Rosanna Rizzi
	10:00	10:40	Powder X-ray Diffraction: Practical Aspects & IRF	Paolo Scardi
	10:40	11:10	Coffee Break
	11:10	11:50	Qualitative Phase Analysis: Theory and Databases	Aurelia Falcicchio
	11:50	12:30	ICDD PDF+5 and JADEPro	Tom Blanton
	12:30	13:30	Lunch Break
	13:30	15:00	Hands-on: Data Collection, Profile Fitting	Robert Dinnebier, Bernd Hinrichsen, Maxwell Terban
	15:00	15:30	Coffee Break
	15:30	16:30	Practical Exercises on Qualitative Phase Analysis: QualX2.0 software in action	Aurelia Falcicchio
	16:30	18:00	Practical Exercises on Qualitative Phase Analysis: ICDD PDF+5 and JADEPro	Tom Blanton
Day 2 Quantitative Analysis & Structure Solution	08:30	09:30	Quantitative Phase Analysis Methods	Arnt Kern
	09:30	10:30	Structure Solution & Rietveld Refinement	Robert Dinnebier
	10:30	11:00	Coffee Break
	11:00	12:00	Correction Factors & Parametric Rietveld	Bernd Hinrichsen
	12:00	13:00	Lunch Break
	13:00	15:00	Hands-on: TOPAS v.7 Exercises	Robert Dinnebier, Maxwell Terban, Bernd Hinrichsen, Arnt Kern
	15:00	15:15	Coffee Break
	15:15	17:00	EXPO Software Overview and guided Structure Solution and Refinement Exercises	Corrado Cuocci
	19:30	22:00	Course Dinner (Venue to be announced)
Day 3 PDF & Size-Strain Analysis	09:00	10:00	Introduction to Total Scattering and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) Analysis	Maxwell Terban
	10:00	11:00	Obtaining and Interpreting the Pair Distribution Function from Total Scattering Data	Maxwell Terban
	11:00	11:15	Coffee Break
	11:15	12:30	Size-Strain Analysis – Isotropic and Anisotropic Microstructural Parameters	Paolo Scardi
	12:00	13:30	Lunch Break
	13:30	15:00	Hands-on: PDF Analysis and Crystal Structure Refinement	Maxwell Terban
	15:00	15:15	Coffee Break
	15:15	16:45	Modelling Nanoparticle Structures and Particle Size Distributions	Paolo Scardi
	16:45	17:00	Closing Remarks and Certificate Distribution	Rosanna Rizzi, Annamaria Mazzone

Early Bird Registration & Fees (until 14.7.2025)

Students & PhD

Early Bird = €120

For students, PhD students, and postdocs

150€ regular registration fee

Academic

Early Bird = €200

For academic participants

250€ regular registration fee

Industrial

Early Bird = €450

For industrial participants

550€ regular registration fee

The registration fee covers: access to the workshop, coffee breaks, lunches and conference materials.

Special Opportunity

Submit your samples to Momentum Transfer by mid-July for five complimentary synchrotron measurements.

Requirements

Bring your own Windows laptop with admin rights; software licenses & install instructions provided before the course.

Application for Bursary

A limited number of bursaries is available for young scientists (appr. limit of age 28).

When registering please supply the following documents to become eligible for a bursary:

Curriculum vitae, including list of publications
Statement of supervisor or director of laboratory

The amount of the grant depends on the country and situation.

Bursary application deadline: July 31, 2025

Meet the Speakers & Tutors

Dr. Thomas Blanton

ICDD, USA

Vendors & Sponsors Invitation

Showcase your products to 120 young researchers in powder diffraction. Set up in the common space, we will make tables & chairs available. You can place your logo on this website and distribute advertising material at the workshop.

Venue & Travel

Address: Politecnico di Bari - Sala dei Congressi, Via Giovanni Amendola, 126/b 70126 Bari (Ba), Italy

How to Get to Bari

To reach Bari from abroad, the most convenient option is to fly into Karol Wojtyła Airport (Bari International Airport). You can also arrive in Bari by train or long-distance bus from other cities in Italy or Europe.

Getting to the City Center from Karol Wojtyła Airport

By Taxi: Taxis are readily available at the airport. A fixed fare of €30 to the conference venue is offered by the RadioTaxiBari company (+39 080 534 33 33). For more information, visit taxibari.it.
By Light Rail to Bari Centrale Train Station: The Ferrotramviaria regional railway connects the airport to Bari Centrale Train Station. The one-way fare is €5.30, and trains run every 40 minutes from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM. For details and schedules, visit ferrovienordbarese.it.
By Bus to Bari Centrale Train Station: Bus tickets can be purchased directly on board using a contactless card or electronic payment method by tapping it on the validator. In this case, the best fare is automatically applied, ranging from €1.00 to a maximum of €2.50 for a day ticket valid all day. Alternatively, you can pay €1.50 in cash to the driver, or purchase tickets in advance via the MUVT app, or at authorized kiosks and newsstands.
By Shuttle (Tempesta Autoservizi): The Tempesta shuttle bus connects the airport to Bari Centrale Train Station. It runs 37 times a day between 5:00 AM and midnight, with an approximate journey time of 30 minutes. Tickets cost €5.00 and can be purchased on board. For the timetable and details, visit autoservizitempesta.it.

Getting to the Conference Venue from Bari Centrale Train Station

Walking: The Politecnico di Bari, where the conference will be held, is about a 15-minute walk from Bari Centrale Train Station.
By Bus: Local Amtab buses are available. From the train station, you can take bus no. 22, which stops directly in front of the main station entrance in Piazza Aldo Moro. The bus travels along Via Amendola and stops at "Campus Agraria", right in front of the conference venue. You can ask the driver to let you know when to get off.

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Accommodation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. There are nice B&Bs around the conference location. We recommend some hotels: their distance from the venue is given. Room rates are per night and include breakfast. The Organising Committee is not responsible for booking of accommodation and hotel booking is NOT part of the workshop registration. Please book early to take advantage of lower rates.