X-Ray Diffraction Facility installs new cutting edge machine

Crystallographers at the University of Melbourne received a boost following the installation of a state-of-the-art small molecule X-ray diffraction (XRD) machine.

The XtaLAB Synergy-S from Rigaku Oxford Diffraction (ROD) is a class-leading instrument that marries cutting edge technologies that will enable their researchers to generate world-class data. The system was installed by AXT Pty. Ltd. ROD’s distributor in Australia and New Zealand.

The Synergy-S becomes the flagship instrument in the X-ray Diffraction Facility at the University of Melbourne. It adds to the small molecule capabilities partnering a Rigaku SuperNova system installed in 2010 and was the logical replacement for an older Rigaku system.

The University of Melbourne team with ROD Applications Specialist. (L to R) Dyanne Cruickshank from ROD, with Martin Van Koeverden, Dr Robert Gable and A/Prof Brendan Abrahams from The University of Melbourne.

The system will serve researchers from undergraduate through to postdoctoral and academic staff. Dr Robert Gable, Manager of the X-Ray Diffraction Facility, envisages that it will be used by a range of different research teams for a host of different compounds including organic biomolecules, minerals, coordination polymers, metal complexes used for catalysis or cancer treatment and polyoxometallates.

The system was purchased following a successful LIEF grant bid submitted by the University of Melbourne and other university and research institutes. The University of Melbourne is grateful to the Australian Research Council for their contribution towards the purchase.