An extraordinary - and for most of us equally arduous - year is drawing to a close. However, we will also remember 2021 as the year in which the first dedicated electron diffractometer was presented to the global crystallographic community: the ELDICO ED-1.
Dedicated, coining an instrument developed for nothing else than high-quality diffraction purposes, which stands out thanks to its design principles and technical features: the radically simplified optical column for ultimate ease-of-use, a 10x improved goniometer (which is capable of “bathing” the sample continuously in the beam over 140° of rotation) and, last but not least, the revolutionary horizontal design providing a high degree of user-friendliness, as appreciated from X-ray diffraction experiments.
Along the way, we have achieved many of our planned milestones among numerous premieres: the first light, the first test measurements for the purpose of calibrating the goniometer, the first successful measurement on inorganic samples, the first organic measurements on beam-sensitive samples, the first photo of ELDICO´s ED-1 in the media as well as the major product presentation (it was in Prague, and I still remember the numerous guests at our IUCr booth and also the Gjønnes-medal dinner), followed by the first system sale and the first successfully completed customer orders for clients in the pharmaceutical industry in November. Since then, we successfully offer sample measurements-as-a-service. Test it out. It may be an opportunity for you as well.
We are looking forward to even more “firsts”. The nearest event will be the first Electron Diffraction Experience Center which is about to open doors in Basel, Switzerland. Here, in the global centre of pharmaceutical research and next door to high-profile research institutions and leading companies, industrial and academic researchers will be able to test the advantages of an easy-to-run instrument and assess its power for themselves.
ELDICO was founded in 2019 with the motto: ‘Shaping the Future of Crystallography’. Throughout these unlikely times, we have received a lot of positive and highly motivating feedback from the scientific field. I personally feel gratitude for the unique opportunity to contribute to the community together with a dedicated team and supported by respected scientific advisors, including some of the absolute pioneers of electron diffraction.
Stay with us for another even more impactful year. I am confident that much can still be written in the blank pages of the future of crystallography. We at ELDICO hope to do it together with you.
Season's greetings,
Dr. Eric Hovestreydt
