Results and conclusions of the internet based “Search/match round robin 2002”

To test the effectiveness of phase identification software, a two-stage search/match round robin using powder X-ray diffraction data was organized, through the internet and world wide web. The first stage provided powder patterns and a vague sample origin, the second stage provided the chemistry and sample history. While the statistics are not robust, it shows that routine phase identification without chemistry can be performed, providing effective modern third generation search/match software is used; the most up to date databases are available; and well trained, experienced scientists perform the analysis.