WELCOME

On the behalf of the Swiss Society for Crystallography and the University of Geneva I warmly invite you to attend the 10th European Powder Diffraction Conference (EPDIC). The conference will be held from the 1st to the 4th September 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland which is situated on the banks of the largest lake in Western Europe .

EPDIC is the only European conference completely dedicated to all aspects of the analysis of polycrystalline material by diffraction methods. Started in Munich in 1991, EPDIC s have rapidly become the focal point for all researchers in the field and are now regarded to be ideal places for the presentation and diffusion of new developments in powder diffraction instrumentation, analysis, and applications. EPDIC conferences are the place where all powder diffractionists, can meet and exchange ideas and experiences.

This year we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the experiments of P. Debye and P. Scherrer in Göttingen and of A. Hull in New Jersey; the experiments which started the fabulous story of powder diffraction. The Swiss Society for Crystallography in conjunction with the University of Geneva are happy and proud to host the 10th EPDIC meeting in Switzerland, the country of P. Scherrer. We trust that this event will be a memorable one both scientifically and socially.

The University of Geneva has long been involved in powder diffraction; it is enough to remember the success of the computer software LAZY PULVERIX and recently FOX. All the activities of the conference will take place in the new Uni Mail building within walking distance of the town centre.

We look forward to meeting you in Geneva for a conference that will be held in a scientifically stimulating yet relaxed atmosphere.

Radovan Černý

Chairman of the Organizing Committee