Six recurrent misconceptions in crystallography, some involving mineral and crystal optics, are analyzed and discussed. The explanation of these and similar misconceptions could serve as educational resources for teachers.

This study establishes a mathematical framework connecting symmetry operations with metrical restrictions through systematic analysis of symmetry operation representation matrices.

Anomalous diffraction analysis of hybrid perovskite thin films enables quantification of components in mixed compositions, as well as prospective investigation of superlattice ordering and spatial component distribution.

A simple modification to the bond valence site energy method is proposed to account for the asymmetrical coordination around post-transition metal cations in fluoride conductors due to the presence of electron lone pairs. A total of 136 structures from the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database are screened and several potential new conductors are suggested.

A full symmetry-mode decomposition analysis of PrNiO3 across its temperature-induced structural phase transitions allows identification of oxygen stretching and Jahn–Teller-like modes as the primary drivers of charge disproportionation at ∼130 K, concomitant with the metal–insulator transition. These distortions persist and evolve through the high-temperature orthorhombic to rhombohedral transition.

This article reports sub-Å structure determination of vacuum-sensitive organic samples in the solid state at room temperature by serial electron diffraction using formvar encapsulation for sample preservation.

A reconstruction procedure for patterns with incomplete information is reported. It is based on a modified Papoulis–Gerchberg algorithm. The modifications were introduced to guide the reconstruction procedure. The reconstruction algorithm could prove useful in specific experimental geometry setups.

We present a methodology based on wide-angle X-ray scattering for the quantitative assessment of interflake ordering in graphene oxide films, providing a structural parameter to characterize anisotropy in disordered 2D materials.

TransMagNet is a branch network model that predicts crystal systems and space groups directly from chemical compositions with high accuracy, providing a novel approach for materials design and discovery without relying on structural data.

This study shows that surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) induces beneficial compressive residual stresses and subgrain refinement in atomic diffusion additive manufacturing (ADAM)-produced 17–4 PH stainless steel. Accurate residual stress evaluation critically depends on the appropriate selection of grain-interaction models, without which the performance predictions for additively manufactured components under high loading conditions may be compromised.

A split-crystal neutron interferometer allows longer arm separation and length. However, since the visibility of the interference is sensitive to seismic and acoustic noise, it is crucial to design and operate the interferometer acknowledging this problem. To aid in this process, we present a mathematical model that quantifies how time-dependent accelerations affect the phase and visibility of the interference fringes.

This study introduces Restrfcn, a transformer-based deep learning framework to accurately extract 3D nanofiber orientation parameters from complex wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns, even with variable fiber sets. By optimizing the model via statistical hypothesis testing, the approach enables real-time analysis for high-throughput synchrotron experiments, advancing nanofiber composite characterization.

A novel small-angle X-ray scattering modelling approach is introduced for the analysis of precipitation behaviour in metallic systems exhibiting scattering signals with streaks originating from the embedding matrix. This approach enables in situ tracking of the microstructural evolution, such as the volume fraction and size of second phases, during continuous heating, and it is showcased for a near-α Ti alloy.

Information concerning sample preparation in the article by Ghosh et al. [J. Appl. Cryst. (2023), 56, 449–460] is clarified.

The transition from the kinematical to the dynamical regime of X-ray diffraction in smectic liquid crystal multilayers is investigated. To this end, synchrotron X-ray reflectivity data obtained from a real liquid crystal were analysed. A quantitative criterion for this transition is derived.

This study explores the impact of controlled relative humidity variations on the stability and structural response of crystalline insulin complexes, combining in situ X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results reveal significant alterations in unit-cell parameters and differing stability among insulin complexes with m-cresol and m-nitro­phenol, highlighting in situ XRPD as a powerful tool for assessing the influence of environmental factors on the stability of pharmaceutical proteins.

Software optimized to fit ruby fluorescence spectra, automatically extract the peak positions and calculate the pressure according to the Ruby2020 gauge is presented.

It is demonstrated that, when a semiflexible polymer is under external forces, these forces and the bending modulus, along with conformation variables of the polymer, can be extracted from the scattering function using a machine learning inversion method.

The virtual special issue related to the 19th International Small Angle Scattering Conference (SAS2024, Taipei, Taiwan) is introduced. The articles included here were originally published in recent regular issues of Journal of Applied Crystallography and Journal of Synchrotron Radiation. The SAS2024 special issue is available at https://journals.iucr.org/special_issues/2025/sas2024/.

Implemented in many crystallography programs, the Patterson function can be challenging to explain to non-mathematically trained students. I provide a customizable animated PowerPoint slide deck to help students to intuitively grasp the concept of autocorrelation and its interpretation.

This paper introduces a novel desmearing methodology utilizing the central moment expansion technique to correct resolution smearing in two-dimensional small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data, particularly for anisotropic patterns in rheological SANS experiments. This model-free approach accurately reconstructs true intensity distributions, effectively recovers structural features and quantifies experimental uncertainties, enhancing the quantitative analysis of SANS data for complex fluid systems.

This study uses computational models to compare the three-dimensional difference pair distribution function and atomic resolution holography for analyzing three-dimensional disorder, revealing their complementary strengths in quantitative pair correlation analysis versus chemical specificity and advocating for a combined approach to tackle complex materials.

This paper demonstrates the benefits and challenges of high-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which allow not only determination of the thermal behavior of a material but also direct evaluation of the crystal-chemical mechanism.

XRDlicious is an online tool for calculating powder X-ray and neutron diffraction patterns, as well as (partial) radial distribution functions, from crystal structures uploaded by users or retrieved from major structural databases. Its browser-based interface allows structure modification, data format conversion and simultaneous plotting for comparison, making it accessible for both research and educational purposes without the need for software installation.

The Hasse diagram of the 3D point-group classes is built with six motifs that have a well defined parity that determines their structure. Of the seven crystal systems, three are built with odd motifs, three are built with even motifs and the last one, the monoclinics, is `ambidextrous' as they are built with both.