The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) covers introductory aspects of synchrotron and XFEL radiation. A link to the course can be found at

https://www.edx.org/course/synchrotrons-and-x-ray-free-electron-laser.

A short 'teaser' video is also viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyIGssgri50, which gives an insight into the course contents.

The course is aimed at a broad scientific audience from historical-artefact restorators and paleontologists, through biologists, biochemists and chemical engineers, to materials scientists and physicists. It includes the following themes:

• Interaction of X-rays with matter;
• The production and physics of synchrotron and XFEL radiation;
• X-ray optics, beamlines, and instrumentation;
• X-ray diffraction and scattering;
• UV and X-ray spectroscopies;
• X-ray imaging (mainly tomography and lensless imaging/ptychography);
• Extra week on phasing techniques in macromolecular crystallography.

The course begins next Monday 5th March 2018 and lasts for nine weeks - each week, two to three new videos are released (youTube videos embedded in the edX player, which can be downloaded and viewed at leisure), each approximately 20 minutes long, plus optional problems (and optional final exam at the end of the course). Enrollment on the course (see above link) is free; a Verified Certificate can be purchased at the end for those who so wish and have achieved the pass grade.

This is an excellent opportunity, especially for younger staff and students, to learn more about the fascinating and interdisciplinary world of synchrotron science and all its myriad possibilities in an engaging and exciting manner!

This workshop will highlight recent approaches and developing ideas in research on membrane structure and interaction.Â

Topics will include:Â

• Membrane phase behaviour
• Membrane dynamics
• Membrane mixtures and rafts
• Lipid-peptide interaction
• Lipid-protein interactionÂ
• Simulation of membrane systems
• Drug delivery systems
• Membranes and signalling
• Membrane fusion

Registration will open on 1st March 2018. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 31st March 2018, and the deadline for registration is 31st May 2018.

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The Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO) is delighted to announce the first edition of Bordeaux Polymer Conference (BPC 2018) to be held from May 28-31, 2018 in Bordeaux (Talence Campus).

The goal of BPC 2018 is to gather the best scientists involved in the field of Polymer Science to discuss topics as wide as :

• Polymerization mechanism and catalysis
• Macromolecular engineering
• Green polymers
• Polymer self-assembly
• Interactions of polymers in life sciences and electronics

This practical crystallization course is meant for undergraduates, postgraduates and postdocs with an interest in macromolecular crystallization. The course consists of theoretical lectures, seminars, practical work and demonstrations, with a focus on protein crystallization.Â

Participants of the course are encouraged to present their own work at the planned poster section.Â

Applications deadline for attending the course is 31st March 2018.Â

For further information and contact form, please visit:Â Â https://macromolcryst2018.febsevents.org/

Muons are a valuable and versatile probe of condensed matter. The µSR (muon spin rotation / relaxation / resonance) spectroscopic techniques are used to investigate magnetic, superconducting, semiconducting, molecular, ionic and metallic systems.

The aim of the Muon Spectroscopy Training School is to provide a practical training course for Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers on the use of muons in condensed matter research.

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The Opportunity in the Invisible: Integrating Theory, Synthesis, Characterization and System Validation for the Battery of Tomorrow

Symposia

• Characterization, modeling and theory
• Electronic and photonic materials
• Nanomaterials
  
• Energy materials and technologies
• Manufacturing
• Soft materials and biomaterials

Microscopic Probes of Intermolecular Forces and Cooperative EffectsÂ

Topics

• Hydrogen Production
• Hydrogen Storage
• Hydrogen Applications
• Theory and Modeling
• Fuel Cells
• Batteries
• Synthetic Fuels
• Functional Materials

The Science and Application of Soft Materials in Hard(er) EnvironmentsÂ

Exploring Nonequilibrium Physics in Quantum Materials

Structure and Dynamics of Self-Assembled Materials

Bridging the Gap Between Biological and Synthetic Systems

Drugs, Food, Agrichemicals, Minerals and New Materials

Topics of the School

• Solution properties
• Nucleation: classical and non-classical approaches
• Crystal growth kinetics and mechanisms
• Crystallization routes
• Crystallization techniques
• Crystal morphology
• Mineral textures
• Polymorphism
• Hydrates and solvates
• Crystallization screening
• Industrial (mass) crystallization
• Chirality
• Biomineralization
• Co-crystals