International Year of Crystallography
Scientific advancements have resulted from the study of crystals.
©iStockphoto.com/bambuh
The United Nations (UN) has declared 2014 as the:
- International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014).
- International Year of Family Farming.
- International Year of Small Island Developing States.
Aim
IYCr2014 aims to increase public awareness of the importance of crystallography, which is the branch of science that studies the formation and structure of crystals.
About the year
The Year of Crystallography promotes widespread access of information about crystallography and activities involving this science. Crystallography has become the core of structural science. Its uses include:
- Showing the structure of DNA.
- Helping people understand and fabricate computer memories.
- Disclosing how proteins are created in cells.
- Assisting in the design of powerful new materials and drugs.
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Celebrate the year
The International Union of Crystallography plans to celebrate IYCr2014 with the launch of a new peer-reviewed journal, IUCrJ. An opening ceremony for the year has been organized at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) main building in Paris, France, in early 2014. Students take part in contests, seminars, and other IYCr2014 events.