Testimonial: Faculty Of Chemistry, University Of East Anglia - XtaLAB Synergy-S

Dr. Joseph Wright is Lecturer in Energy Materials in the Faculty of Chemistry in the University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K., and takes particular responsibility for the X-ray Diffraction facilities in the Faculty: which include recently-installed XtaLAB Synergy-S (Mo, Cu) / HyPix-6000HE single-crystal and Rigaku SmartLab polycrystalline (‘powder’) diffractometer systems.  Before the installation of the new XtaLAB Synergy-S system, the Faculty of Chemistry depended upon their Oxford Diffraction Xcalibur system: installed in 2005.  A large number of researchers, covering a wide number of interests are depending upon the new instrument. 

Dr. Wright summarizes the impact of the XtaLAB Synergy-S system, below.

What was the main problem, or challenge, that you were trying to solve by buying a new diffractometer system?

The need to probe smaller, more challenging samples, particularly to have fast access to data for crystals we would have previously sent to a specialised source.

How has the new instrument from Rigaku Oxford Diffraction changed the workflow in your lab?

It has made collecting single crystal data almost a routine part of synthesis: we can expect to run almost everything crystalline in a way that was not possible before.

Can you describe the single most important benefit the XtaLAB Synergy-S system brings to your research?

High speed of data collection; 'what is this' within an hour, full data sets within a few hours.

Which other features of the XtaLAB Synergy-S system are important to you?

Rapid switching of sources, low running costs, automated solving.

What would you say to anyone considering making a purchase of a new high capability diffractometer? Would you recommend the XtaLAB Synergy-S system? 

Yes, I would strongly recommend the system. It is clearly much more powerful and rapid than our previous system.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience of working with Rigaku Oxford Diffraction?

Thus-far, it has all be very smooth.