Considerations for FAIR data catalogs from DAPHNE4NFDI

Hakim B, Dall'antonia F, Dallmann J, Felder C, Gaur A, Görzig H, Hayen N, Hinzmann R, Kobus J, Krahl R, Murphy B, Paripsa S, Pedersen B, Raza A, Tippey K, Wetzel T, Zaft A, Unruh T, Busch S (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

IUCrJ International Union of Crystallography

Book Volume: 13

Pages Range: 541-551

DOI: 10.1107/S2052252526006871

Abstract

Large-scale photon and neutron (PaN) experiments generate vast amounts of valuable data, yet implementation of the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) remains incomplete. Metadata catalogs are a key tool for addressing this challenge. They do not store data itself but provide structured searchable descriptions that make datasets discoverable and reusable. This article, developed within the DAPHNE4NFDI consortium of Germany's National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), reflects the discussion on the role of metadata catalogs in PaN science such as SciCat, ICAT and SampleDB from a scientific point of view, and presents the status of current implementations. Integration of standards such as NeXus, sample databases and electronic laboratory notebooks is also addressed. Catalog implementations are categorized by purpose as raw data, institutional data and public data, and examined by practical aspects including authentication and authorization, persistent identifiers, and metadata enrichment. Drawing on case studies such as the RefXAS X-ray absorption spectroscopy database, we summarize lessons learned and present recommendations for minimizing fragmentation, enabling interoperability, and harmonizing identity and persistent-identifier policies. Looking ahead, semantic technologies and knowledge graphs will play a central role in building a federated FAIR-compliant catalog infrastructure that supports both facility and university researchers.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bishoy Hakim Professur für Nanomaterialcharakterisierung (Streumethoden) Johannes Dallmann Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik (ICSP) Tobias Unruh Professur für Nanomaterialcharakterisierung (Streumethoden)

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) DE Germany (DE) Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel DE Germany (DE) Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY DE Germany (DE) Bergische Universität Wuppertal DE Germany (DE) Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE) Universität Siegen DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon DE Germany (DE) European XFEL GmbH DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Hakim, B., Dall'antonia, F., Dallmann, J., Felder, C., Gaur, A., Görzig, H.,... Busch, S. (2026). Considerations for FAIR data catalogs from DAPHNE4NFDI. IUCrJ, 13, 541-551. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052252526006871

MLA:

Hakim, Bishoy, et al. "Considerations for FAIR data catalogs from DAPHNE4NFDI." IUCrJ 13 (2026): 541-551.

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