Dynamic X-ray diffraction for the design of functional photoswitches

Switchable crystalline materials remain of significant interest for a diverse range of smart technologies, including ultrafast electronics, data storage, sensors, molecular machines, solid-state cooling and energy harvesting.1-5 In-situ crystallographic experiments are essential for elucidating the structure-property relationships that underpin switching behaviour and numerous in-situ techniques have now been developed for use in home X‑ray laboratories as well as at synchrotron and X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities. Our group focusses on photoswitchable crystals and is developing an expanded suite of photocrystallographic instrumentation and methods tailored to different experimental environments. These include time‑resolved single‑crystal X-ray diffraction approaches for probing dynamic chemical processes in crystals, using stroboscopic pump-probe measurements with synchrotron radiation6 and a custom instrument enabling time‑resolved diffraction studies in the home laboratory.

This presentation will highlight the scope of our in-situ diffraction development, illustrated through case studies of materials that undergo a single‑crystal-to-single‑crystal transformation to high excited state population levels.7-9 We will also discuss advances in time‑resolved X-ray diffraction techniques, carried out in collaboration with Beamline I19 at Diamond Light Source, with particular emphasis on our recent progress in extending serial crystallography methods to small‑molecule systems.10-11 This includes sample preparation strategies, data‑collection protocols and processing workflows suitable for transfer to other leading synchrotron and XFEL facilities worldwide.

Biography

Dr Lauren Elizabeth Hatcher is a Royal Society University Research Fellow at Cardiff University, where she leads research in dynamic structural chemistry and advanced crystallographic methods. Her work focuses on understanding and controlling switchable functional materials using time-resolved and in situ diffraction techniques across laboratory, synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser facilities.

She completed her PhD at the University of Bath, specialising in molecular photocrystallography, and has since established an international reputation for advancing time-resolved crystallography. She has played a key role in developing capabilities at Diamond Light Source and in introducing serial crystallography methods to the UK small-molecule community.

Dr Hatcher’s contributions have been recognised by several major awards, including the 2025 Royal Society of Chemistry Harrison–Meldola Prize and the 2025 European Crystallographic Association Sheldrick Prize. She is also an active member of the crystallographic community, contributing through editorial work, national facility panels, and leadership within the British Crystallographic Association.