A selection of videos from the International Year of Crystallography playlist on YouTube


[Irina Bokova]

UNESCO Secretary-General introduces the International Year of Crystallography 2014

This is the English-language version of the message from UNESCO Secretary General Irina Bokova contributed to the virtual press conference launching IYCr2014.

A century ago, it was discovered that X-rays could be used to 'see' the structure of matter in a non-intrusive manner. Today, X-ray crystallography has become the leading technique for studying the structure of matter at the atomic or molecular level.

The International Year commemorates the centennial of the discovery of X-ray crystallography, thanks to the work of William Henry Bragg, William Lawrence Bragg and Max von Laue.

Today, crystallography underpins all the sciences. It forms the backbone of a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, agri-foodstuffs, aeronautics, computing, mining and space sciences. It is essential for the development of almost all new materials.

Throughout the year, UNESCO and the International Union of Crystallography will be providing interested governments with guidance on curricular and research development. We shall be organizing a number of open labs in developing countries, in order to show how crystallography works, in partnership with private companies. I wish to invite all governments to join us in raising the flag for crystallography throughout 2014 and beyond.

Category: Science & Technology. Duration: 1m 48s
Licence: Standard YouTube Licence