How did the 36th XRD/XRF User Club go?

Since its inception, the User Club has been recognized as a privileged place for sharing knowledge, expertise, and practical experiences in the French-speaking scientific community of X-ray instrumentation users.

It takes place once a year usually in a prestigious hotel in Paris with a carefully crafted program by the board members (9 XRD/XRF clients elected for three years).

Through mini-forums, users’ daily issues are discussed, with feedback and experience sharing.

After two long years of COVID absence, this year was rich in change:

– a hybrid participation mode: in-person and remote.

– a dedicated day for each technique (June 9 for XRD and June 14 for XRF) with two conferences (a plenary and a specialized one) and two mini-forums to further encourage exchanges.

The two days were held a stone’s throw from the Massy Palaiseau station at the Novotel.

On this occasion, we unveiled our new site in Palaiseau and inaugurated our applications laboratory.

We collected 250 euros related to online participation, which will be donated to the association OSE Zéro Déchet, aimed at raising awareness, supporting, and guiding the largest number of people in an ecological transition, particularly through a zero-waste approach.

A big thank you for your solidarity support!

Testimonials from participants:

For my first participation, I am delighted. It was an interesting and enriching day, although my lack of experience with the technique sometimes made me lose track a bit. But at the same time, it allowed me to realize my shortcomings and find avenues for improvement so that I am more comfortable at the next club

Even though in-person attendance offers direct contact with people and thus remains the mode generating the most interaction, having the option of virtual participation allows the maximum number of people to join

Overall rating of the days: 3.7 / 4 😊

A big thank you:

– to the board members for this wonderful program

– to Yann Gilbert (Account Manager / Primary Materials) for the management (camera, sound, Teams…)

– to Hélène Castelain (Sales Engineer XBT Specialist) for hosting the day

– and to all the participants (in-person and virtual!)

We look forward to having even more attendees at the next edition!