Two molecules can contain the same atoms, connected in the same way, yet behave differently because of their three-dimensional arrangement. The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry celebrates discoveries that help explain—and control—this molecular “handedness,” a subject closely connected to crystallography.
The ACA congratulates Francis Halzen, recipient of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics, for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources.
The American Crystallographic Association joins the international scientific community in mourning the passing of Professor Ada Yonath, Nobel laureate and pioneering structural biologist, who died on August 31, 2026, at the age of 87.
Yesterday, the American Crystallographic Association submitted formal comments to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), the federal regulations that govern how research grants are awarded and administered.
The ACA is joining the American Physical Society (APS) and a coalition of scientific and research organizations to help ensure the voice of the research community is heard as the federal government considers significant changes to the regulations governing federal research grants.
The ACA is saddened to learn of the passing of Victor W. Day, Ph.D., on June 18, 2026, at the age of 82.
It is with great sadness that the ACA shares the passing of longtime ACA member Dr. Ian David Brown, who died peacefully on June 29, 2026, at the age of 94. Known simply as David to his friends and colleagues, he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that has shaped the field of crystallography for generations.
The American Crystallographic Association is pleased to recognize its newest class of ACA Fellows. Election as an ACA Fellow is one of the Association's highest honors and recognizes members whose contributions to the advancement of crystallography or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished. Fellows may be recognized for excellence in research, teaching, technological innovation, service to professional societies, leadership in academia, industry, or government, or for outstanding efforts in communicating science to broader audiences.
The American Crystallographic Association (ACA) is pleased to announce the recipients of three of its highest honors for 2027. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in crystallographic research, structural science, and diffraction physics, as well as the individuals whose work continues to advance our understanding of the structure of matter.
Celebrating Excellence in Structural Dynamics: Elina Elvelo Recognized at the 2026 BCA Meeting
It is a tremendous honor to serve as the new President of the American Crystallographic Association. I look forward to working with our outstanding community and continuing the ACA’s tradition of scientific excellence, collaboration, and collegiality.
Each quarter, we highlight a new collection of book reviews exploring a wide variety of topics and perspectives. Whether informative, thought-provoking, or simply enjoyable, these selections reflect the broad interests of our community and may inspire your next great read.
If you’ve attended an ACA meeting, you probably know that I travel with what I jokingly call my “unpaid labor” — also known as family members. What started as immediate family support has evolved, and for the past two years my mother has joined me, faithfully working the registration desk.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the 7th Latin American Crystallographic Association and 27th Brazilian Crystallographic Association (LACA-ABCr 2025), which was held between October 14-17, 2025, in Fortaleza, Brazil. I was looking forward to this meeting for some time and learning more of research across the structural sciences community in the broader Americas.
Applications for the 2026 ACA Summer Course will open in December 2025, and we encourage anyone passionate about crystallography to apply.
CSD Communications is a way to share small molecule crystal structures directly in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) without requiring an associated scientific publication.
We are pleased to share that the American Crystallographic Association (ACA) has been invited to participate in a new national initiative — REV UP, led by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and funded by the AIP Venture Fund.
We wanted to share a quick update about our presence on the platform X. While the ACA account will remain available, it won’t be actively monitored moving forward. Over the past year, many in the scientific community have moved away from X, and we’ve seen engagement there drop off significantly. Because of this, it’s no longer the best place for us to connect with you.
We’re pleased to announce the American Association to Advance Powder Diffraction (AAAPD), a grassroots organization that was formed to be a voice for the powder diffraction community to ensure a bright future for this field.
