Its an interesting question actually, do you want to hack this together after the data files are generated or is it better to gently persuade the manufacturers/developers to generate xml file formats in the first place. For instance if you look at the new small angle scattering xml format, this has been adopted by the community, and the detector manufacturers have essentially said that they will adopt whatever format the community settles on. See http://www.smallangles.net/wgwiki/index.php/1D_Data_Formats_Working_Group

Obviously we will need a combination of both in reality, the persuasion will require demonstrations that it is worthwhile. OWW could provide a good centre for this, but equally it is something much bigger, where ChemSpider, Peter MR and others could contribute. Maybe this is where a Human Frontiers Science Programme grant could position itself. We aim to solve a big biological problem (any suggestions on a good target?) by solving the file format interchange problem...and then using it in combination with Open Notebooks...