Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME)
Middle East and also the first major international centre of excellence in the region. It was officially opened in Allan, Al-Balqah District, on 16 May 2017. SESAME is a 2.5 GeV synchrotron light source, providing radiation from infrared light to X-rays, which is used for scientific research, education and training. SESAME was set up on the model of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and was developed under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In order for Jordan to successfully benefit from SESAME as a center of excellence in scientific research, the national scientific activities related to SESAME are overseen by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission.
Based on the Statutes set out at the establishment of the Centre on 15 April 2004, SESAME has a mission to:
“SESAME shall provide for collaboration in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Region with free access to all scientists of SESAME members in relevant areas of research, being also open to scientists from the whole world, in basic and applied research using synchrotron radiation or closely related topics.”
Support for scientists and researchers with research facilities in the sciences of physics, chemistry, biology, archaeology, environment, materials science and various applications in agriculture, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and industry.
Exchange of experiences and scientific cooperation between Jordanian researchers, researchers from member states in the Middle East region, and researchers at international synchrotron centers.
Support for participation in conferences, seminars, and scientific and training workshops for users of synchrotron light, whether inside or outside Jordan.
Improving the level of teaching and scientific research in universities and scientific centers in the member states.
Training of scientists, engineers and technicians.
Continuous maintenance and upgrading of the technology.
Technical, scientific and logistical support for users.
International cooperation.
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Infrared spectromicroscopy beamline (IR)
The IR beamline was designed and implemented in the framework of a partnership between SESAME and the SOLEIL Synchrotron facility in France. It came into operation in November 2018 to serve users of the infrared scientific community.
The IR beamline enables applications of infrared microspectroscopy and imaging in a wide range of fields, including surface and materials science, biochemistry, archaeology, geology, cell biology, biomedical diagnostics and environmental science. For example, it can be used for characterization of new nanomaterials for solar cell fabrication and for drug delivery mechanisms, and to study air and water pollution.
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X-ray Absorption Fine Structure/X-ray Fluorescence (XAFS/XRF)
The XAFS/XRF beamline is designed for X-ray spectroscopic studies in all fields of science. It can be used in designing new materials and improving catalysts (e.g. for the petrochemical industry), and to identify the chemical composition of fossils and valuable paintings in a non-invasive manner. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art silicon detector (funded by Italy). It has been hosting users since July 2018.
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Materials Science/X-ray Powder Diffraction (MS/XPD)
The MS/XPD beamline is based on components previously installed at the Swiss Light Source donated to SESAME by the Paul Scherrer Institute.It is used for X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) applications in materials science.
This beamline provides a powerful tool for studying microcrystalline or disordered/amorphous material on the atomic scale, evolution of nano-scale structures and materials in extreme conditions of pressure and temperature, and for developing and characterizing new smart materials. It has been hosting users since December 2020.
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The Helmholtz-SESAME beamline (HESEB)
HESEB is the first soft X-ray beamline at SESAME. The HESEB project was founded by the Helmholtz Association of Research Centers in Germany. Five Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association (DESY, FZJ, HZB, HZDR, KIT) take charge of the design, construction, installation, and commissioning of the HESEB.
It was installed for scientific applications in physics, chemistry, biological sciences, earth sciences, environment, semiconductor materials and in the field of archaeology and cultural heritage. HESEB beamline started to collect research proposal on September 2023.
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The Beamline for Tomography (BEATS)
The Beamline for Tomography operates a hard X-ray full-field radiography and micro computed tomography (CT) station. Hard x-ray imaging can be applied in numerous scientific areas. BEATS has been opened to users in the second 2023. The layout of BEATS is inspired by TOMCAT, the tomography beamline at the Swiss Light Source (SLS). BEATS is optimized for absorption and phase contrast X-ray radiography and tomography.
Jordanian National Committees for the Synchrotron Center
To ensure that relevant Jordanian institutions harness SESAME’s potential as a hub for scientific research excellence in Jordan, several specialized committees have been established to formulate effective operational strategies:
Jordanian Network of Synchrotron Light Users: This network comprises faculty members, graduate students, researchers from Jordanian universities, and specialists from relevant institutions and research centers. Presently, the network includes over 120 researchers specializing in scientific research and diverse applications of synchrotron light.
Jordanian Synchrotron Light Users Committee: Comprising representatives from Jordanian universities, relevant institutions, and research centers, this committee is focused on crafting operational plans for scientific research projects. It promotes collaboration and training for Jordanian researchers, encourages their participation in grants, scholarships, and training courses offered by national and international bodies affiliated with the center.
Jordanian National Committee for SESAME: Comprising presidents of Jordanian universities and directors of relevant research centers, this committee is tasked with developing national policies and programs to facilitate SESAME’s success. Its responsibilities include aligning with SESAME’s growth, supporting scientific research utilizing synchrotron light applications, and overseeing diverse training initiatives.
Scientific Research Projects by Jordanian Teams Utilizing Synchrotron Light
To maximize the utilization of SESAME’s diverse beamlines for conducting scientific research, Jordanian research teams specializing in synchrotron light utilization have been formed. Comprising researchers and faculty members from pertinent Jordanian universities and research centers, these teams focus on presenting scientific research projects aligned with their research interests and specializations.
The Jordanian national committees associated with the Synchrotron Center (SESAME) currently operates under the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission.It aims to bolster capacity building and the development of Jordanian human resources.
Publications by Jordanian Users of SESAME
R.S.H. Mansour, A.Y. Al Khawaja, I.I. Hamdan, E.A. Khalil, IR microspectroscopic investigation of the interaction of some losartan salts with human stratum corneum protein and its effect on losartan transdermal permeation, PLOS ONE, 2023, 18(6), e0287267, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287267 Click here
S. Al Khasawneh, K. Khasawneh, A. Aldrabee, M. Harfouche, Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence analysis of Byzantine plaster figurines from Jordan Museum, Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2023, 23(1), 199-208, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7775790 Click here
M. Alqadi, S. Al-Humaidi, H. Alkhateeb, F. Alzoubi, L-shell x-ray fluorescence relative intensities for elements with 62 ≤ Z ≤ 83 at 18 keV and 23 keV by synchrotron radiation, Chinese Physics B, 2023, 32(8), 083201, doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/accb46 Click here
H.A. Almassad, R.I. Abaza, L. Siwwan, B. Al-Maythalony, K.E. Cordova, Environmentally adaptive MOF-based device enables continuous self-optimizing atmospheric water harvesting, Nature Communications, 2022, 13(1), 4873, doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-32642-0 Click here
R. Nimer, G. Kamel, MA. Obeidat, LA. Dahabiyeh, Investigating the molecular structure of plasma in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy by synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2022, 264, 120259, doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120259 Click here
A.G. Al-Bakri, L.A. Dahabiyeh, E. Khalil, D. Jaber, G. Kamel, N. Schleimer, C. Kohler, K. Becker, Synchrotron-Radiation-Based Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy as a Tool for the Differentiation between Staphylococcal Small Colony Variants, Antibiotics, 2022, 11(11), 1607, doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11111607 Click here
T. El-Hasan, M. Harfouche, A. Aldrabee, N. Abdelhadi, N. Abu-Jaber, G. Aquilanti, Synchrotron XANES and EXAFS evidences for Cr+6 and V+5 reduction within the oil shale ashes through mixing with natural additives and hydration process, Heliyon, 2021, 7(4), e06769, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06769 Click here
K.A. Salmeia, S. Dolabella, D. Parida, T.J. Frankcombe, A.T. Afaneh, K.E. Cordova, B. Al-Maythalony, S. Zhao, R. Civioc, A. Marashdeh, B. Spingler, R. Frison, A. Neels, Robust Barium Phosphate Metal Organic Frameworks Synthesized under Aqueous Conditions, ACS Materials Letters, 2021, 3(7), 1010-1015, doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.1c00275 Click here
L.A. Dahabiyeh, R.S.H. Mansour, S.S. Saleh, G. Kamel, Investigating the molecular structure of placenta and plasma in pre-eclampsia by infrared microspectroscopy, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2020, 184, 113186, doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113186 Click here
For more information, visit the official website of the SESAME, Click here.