Exploring the XRD system at IFUAP

A scientist is continuously seeking the truth of nature. There is a jungle of fields to explore from material science to the universe, a scientist could be doing experiments at the laboratory, or maybe they just need a comfortable place to think and create new theories which will explain new phenomena. 

Training day: XRD System  and software High Score Plus, BUAP

Today I was able to explore the XRD system at IFUAP (shown in the above picture). The purpose of this visit was to analyze a previous measured XRD pattern. Gratefully the responsible researcher allows me to manipulate the software High Score Plus to perform a qualitative analysis to identify the phases in the material.

High Score plus, performing phase analysis, and calculation of crystal size.

To identify the phase three steps should be performed in the following sequence:

1. Background determination: This is a must step due phase analysis depends on it.
2. Peak search: Automatic + Manual is the best
3. Phase analysis: Should be restricted to the constitutive elements to gain time. In my case, the restriction increase using just inorganic materials and star quality powder diffraction files (PDFs) from the database.

Once these three steps are done, the analysis gives you three important values: 

• Background: This information is necessary to make a good report where the background should be extracted from the observed XRD measurement.
• Constitutive phases: This data confirms if your material is pure or is mixed
• Crystal size: This parameter gives the size domain D < 100 nm makes you think in the nanoworld.

If you want to know how the XRD system works  watch the following video: 

Have you ever seen an XRD system with your own eyes?

Winter vacation of a Mexican young scientist

Reading Alebrijes by Cecilia Reyes 

Winter vacation on the public school system means three full weeks doing something else; personal stuff maybe,  I am not sure about working but resting is a must.

As a postdoctoral fellowship, I am not able to get into the university facilities to do some office or experimental work in the laboratory. That means that all the experimental work is on a pause. Well, this situation brings me to the next question.

Is it healthy to continue working during vacations ?  I mean, doing some reading or drafting a manuscript for a scientific publication.

For Ph.D. holders who are working right now on Mexican universities and who already got the National Research system grant (SNI-CONACYT)  maybe it is a duty to work during vacations because of the process to obtain a product (student graduation, scientific publication, patents as innovation ) take a lot of time. For those who are not familiar with SNI systems, every three years we are evaluated and if we do not fill the minimum requirement to maintain the grant then the membership and grant are retired.

I remember that when I was a Ph.D. student from 2013-2017 at UNAM, we used to work during vacations because when there is a big resting time we usually got out of focus from the research project. In my experience, I always recommend my colleagues to not take vacations during the thesis writing process because there is a risk of losing focus or inspiration. But now is slightly different.

Taking vacations, rest and go with your family but maybe it is ok but I thin not full time. For example in my experience, I do nothing related to work during the two weeks but right now I begin to feel not productive. I react to this feeling by doing some activities called "Hobbies".

 I used to do three constant activities: Reading,  programming learning and right now writing. 

Sometimes these activities are not related to science, for example, my reading motivation of this year is to be able to answer the following questions: What is it happening outside of my country in a political way?; How the human being got here to the actual world?. An, of course, be present about the environmental situation. 

This is the last vacation week: What are you going to do?  Travel, Read, Vist your friends,  Go with your Family, Work or maybe learn something new. 

Advance Materials group at IFUAP-BUAP

Dra. Mou Pal group: Research and development of metal chalcogenides, metal oxides nanoparticles. ( Happy Birthday ) From left to right: Andres, Marifer, Cancino, Dra. Mou Pal, Denise, Me (Jesus Capistran).  

Is it hard to get a postdoctoral stay in Mexico?

Coffee cup at IFUAP-BUAP (From MIT) 

In Mexico, 2019 is a hard year for Science and technology due to two main reasons: a) Change of Mexican president followed with a change of political flagship and b) Corruption priority besides economical aspects.

This year I had the opportunity to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship from Conacyt-International to spend one year at EMPA-Switzerland.  In August, the results came and I was not selected. These results are followed by a reduction of federal found for Conacyt and the government bet for carbon-based fuels. 

Fortunately, I had a plan B. I apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at the BUAP founded by the program SEP-PRODEP.  The process for a stay from PRODEP is really slow, the application opens in February and closes the last day of September.  The problem is the results they come from a minimum time of 3 months. In my case, the results came after 6 months of wait.

Last week IFUAP-BUAP give the results they accept my stay but I should move quickly to Puebla City.  For that reason here I am taking a cup of coffee from the cafeteria at IFUAP.  How a great surprise they give me before the winter season. I feel great in one of the best institutions and universities in Mexico for superior education or bachelor grade.

If you are a  new 2019-postdoctoral working in Mexico please tell us: How was your experience getting that position? If you are interested in a postdoctoral position, please check these three opportunities:

• CONACYT (Choose wisely: National or International) 
• SEP-PRODEP
• UNAM-DGAPA

Note: 

You are allowed to apply for the three in a row during the year. Do it and don't lose opportunities.