XFEL: Users' Meeting 2022 successfully launched

This year, for the second time in a row, the European XFEL Users' Meeting is a purely virtual meeting. Nevertheless, as every year, it is a good opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between European XFEL and the scientific user community. Together with the DESY Photon Science Users' Meeting taking place in parallel, more than 2000 scientists from 40 countries are expected to attend.

The agenda of the conference from 21 to 27 January 2022 includes updates on new developments, plans for the future, scientific highlights from all six experimental stations and advancements in instrument design. The programme is complemented by workshops and a presentation of scientific posters. Many of the research results presented provide new approaches to solving societal challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving a circular economy, artificial photosynthesis and sustainable catalysis.

In a jointly released statement, the two hosts, European XFEL and DESY, emphasise at the meeting the opportunities offered by modern research with X-ray light sources to solve the major societal challenges of our time. Robert Feidenhans'l, European XFEL’s Chairman of the Executive Board, explains: "With our unique X-ray light sources and the know-how of our staff, we are gaining unprecedented glimpses into the nanoworld in collaboration with the international research community. Applications range from contributions to sustainable energy production and the development of advanced materials to insights for the development of medicines and therapies. In protecting our planet and humanity, research with X-ray light will play an essential role. That is why European XFEL will open a call for proposals in the field of molecular water research."

DESY Director Helmut Dosch adds: "Hamburg is home to the world's best X-ray light sources. They enable us to make decisive contributions to the rapid development of tailor-made materials and active substances. DESY and European XFEL want to put these high-tech methods even more at the service of research groups."

The "Water Call" from European XFEL

Water is of fundamental importance for life on Earth. Therefore, it has been intensively studied in many disciplines for a long time, and yet many of its physical properties are still not well understood. To promote this important area of research, European XFEL will be launching a call for proposals to study molecular water at the Users’ Meeting. Researchers in the field will be able to apply for beam time at European XFEL.

A highlight of the event this year will be the announcement of the winner of the European XFEL Young Scientist Award on 26 January, which will be awarded for the second time. "With the European XFEL Young Scientist Award, we recognise the past achievements and future potential of young scientists in the expanding field of X-ray laser science," says Sakura Pascarelli, Scientific Director at European XFEL. “Showcasing the exciting publications of new scientific talents, often showing large collaborative efforts, will hopefully amplify the impact of their research on society.”

For more information, see: https://www.xfel.eu/users/user_events/users__meetings/2022_users__meeting/index_eng.html