FAIR (Foundation Access to ICDD Resources) is an initiative aimed at promoting global scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing by providing free database access to selected labs worldwide. The database is a valuable resource for researchers in materials science, chemistry, and related fields as it contains information on the crystallographic properties of a vast array of materials, including minerals, metals, and polymers.
The International Centre for Diffraction Data awarded a group of researchers at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in Cape Coast, Ghana, Africa, two years of access to the PDF-5+ database and JADE® Pro software as part of the organization’s FAIR initiative.
The UCC group was recommended for the initiative through collaborations with Penn State University (MRI and MATSE) and is designed with the goal in mind of both helping laboratories with current financial limitations in acquiring the database and analysis software and in developing collaborations with groups and researchers in Africa.
ICDD also awarded scientists at Universidad Nacional de San MartÃn (UNSAM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, similar access. The group was recommended by ICDD Director-at-Large Graciela Diaz de Delgado and ICDD Chair of the Membership Committee Miguel Delgado of Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela.
In addition to general access to the database, the ICDD will assist with training in data mining using PDF-5+ and phase identification using JADE Pro to foster a more collaborative and inclusive scientific community where all researchers have equal opportunities to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation, regardless of their financial resources or geographic location. Ultimately, the goal is a collaboration between researchers at all organizations and the publication of research results in Powder Diffraction Journal. After two years of free access, the organization can purchase the database at a reduced renewal rate.
For more information on the FAIR initiative, please contact ICDD’s Corporate Secretary, Denise Zulli, at corpsec@icdd.com
Dr. Samuel Tetteh, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at UCC, is the lead researcher and recipient of the database and software licenses.
Dr. Diego G. Lamas, Universidad Nacional de San MartÃn, Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the recipient of the database and software licenses.