Science in the Desert

Reflecting its commitment to developing sustainable science, ICTP recently hosted a meeting devoted to outlining future training activities for a unique science facility taking shape in Jordan.

The Synchrotron light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) facility is a third-generation light source operating under the auspices of UNESCO. Funded by Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine Authority and Turkey, it will serve as an international laboratory for scientists from the region. The facility aims to be fully operational by 2015.

Synchrotron light is used to study matter on scales ranging from biological cells to atoms, using radiation from the infrared to X-rays. It has had an immense impact in archaeology, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, medicine and physics.

According to SESAME Scientific Director Hafeez Hoorani, many synchrotron facilities in Europe, USA, South America and Japan have offered help and support in terms of technical assistance, donation of equipment and capacity building efforts for the Jordan facility.

SESAME committee members from Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, Pakistan, Egypt, Italy, Iran and USA attended the ICTP meeting, where many aspects of training were discussed. The process of training scientists and engineers from the Middle East in the uses of synchrotron radiation and the relevant accelerator technology is well under way, thanks to efforts by ICTP and other international institutes. ICTP provides opportunities for Middle Eastern scientists and engineers to spend several months at similar facilities in Europe.