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The Association's Mission

AIC

The Italian Crystallographic Association (AIC) is a non-profit, scientific organization recognised in 1998 from the Italian Ministery for University and Research. Today, AIC has about 300 members. Founded in 1967 with the aim of promoting and enhancing the study of the arrangement of atoms in matter, its causes, nature and consequences, the methodologies and the techniques related to such studies. The Association favors all initiatives to promote crystallography, encourage interaction between researchers who, in the context of various disciplines, use crystallographic methods as well as the educational dissemination and scientific diffusion of crystallography and crystal growth.

The AIC is ruled by the executive committee (Consiglio di Presidenza, CdP) elected for a three years term by all the members and consisting of the President, vice-President, past-president, treasurer, secretary and five councilors. 

The CdP is also supported by commissions dealing with “Teaching Commission“, “Instrumentation and Computing” commission as well as by the commissions of the section “Crystal Growth” and “Biological Macromolecules“. The annual congress represents the most significant moment of the associative life, but a constant commitment is dedicated to:

  1. organize, promote and favor schools and scientific training courses, educational and research seminars, national and international conferences and congresses;
  2. activate and develop relationships with related national and international associations and organizations, such as the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) and its Commissions, the European Crystallographic Association (ECA) and the International Organization of Crystal Growth (IOCG);
  3. facilitate the access of all its members to large scientific equipment and installations;
  4. activate and develop relationships with related national and international associations and organizations, such as the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) and its Commissions, the European Crystallographic Association (ECA) and the International Organization of Crystal Growth (IOCG);
  5. make use of publications, surveys and any other convenient tool for the dissemination of information and the enhancement of crystallography and crystal growth in teaching, research and industry, to promote the economic and social progress of the Country;
  6. recognize clear scientific merits by awarding the prizes listed below.

Awards AIC

AIC Medal
On the proposal of the President, the CdP exceptionally awards a medal in recognition of a particular effort made to support the image and activity of the Association or the interests of the crystallographic community.
Mario Mammi prize
The gold medal with the image of Mario Mammi, founder member of the AIC, president (1985-1987) and promoter of the cristallographic culture in Italy, is assigned every two years to a renowned Italian or foreign scientist in the year of scientific maturity, who has obtained in Italy exceptional results in the development or the application of The gold medal with the image of Mario Mammi, founder member of the AIC, president (1985-1987) and promoter of the cristallographic culture in Italy, is assigned every two years to a renowned Italian or foreign scientist in the year of maturity, who has obtained in Italy exceptional results in the development or the application of crystallography methodologies in a scientific field.
Mario Nardelli Prize
Dedicated to the memory of Mario Nardelli, AIC president (1969-1970) and IUCr president (1983-1986), the prize consists of a medal and a cheque. It is awarded each year to a member of the AIC less than 40 years old, who has obtained through her/his research outstanding results developing or using crystallographic methods.
Prize for the best thesis
Awarded each year to a master graduated with a thesis of crystallographic character. It consists of a certificate and three years of free subscription to the Association.
Award for the best degree thesis
Awarded annually to a graduate in specialized degrees with a crystallographic thesis, consists of a certificate and three years of free registration to the Association.