- Title: Solar-powered particle accelerator bridges Middle East divide
- Date: 23rd July 2019
- Summary: CERN, NEAR GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (FILE - JULY 23, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF INSIDE OF LARGE HADRON COLLIDER (LHC) TUNNEL UNDER CERN COMPLEX VARIOUS OF COMPACT MUON SOLENOID (CMS) DETECTOR
- Embargoed: 6th August 2019 10:54
- Keywords: Large Hadron Collider SESAME The Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East CERN particle accelerator Middle East peace
- Location: ALLAN, JORDAN / JERUSALEM / NABLUS, WEST BANK / NEAR GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / HARWELL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: ALLAN, JORDAN / JERUSALEM / NABLUS, WEST BANK / NEAR GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / HARWELL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Science
- Reuters ID: LVA003AP01ZYZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: It may be considerably smaller than the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland, but the SESAME particle accelerator in Jordan is attempting to do more than just scientific research: it's promoting peace and cooperation in the region.
Almost 20 years in the works, SESAME (The Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) was opened in 2017. The 130 metre (427 ft.) diameter structure is the only particle accelerator in the Middle East, and the first in the world to run on solar power.
Inside, electrons are accelerated to near light speeds until the radiation emitted is the brightest artificial source of X-rays. This light is then directed into laboratories in 'beamlines', allowing for detailed study of molecular structures.
Other particle accelerators, like the LHC or Diamond Light Source in the UK, use huge amounts of electricity. But SESAME hold the title as the world's only synchrotron facility powered entirely by renewables.
"For this scientific research to be conducted it really burns through electricity, which comes at a cost, both financial and environmental. I'm really happy that SESAME has become the first facility running purely on green energy," said power supplies engineer Sofian Jafar told journalists during a recent tour of the facility.
At SESAME there is space for around 20 beamlines. Presently the facility hosts two beamlines, which have been used, among other things, to analyse soil samples and air particles, identifying contaminants in the environment, and to study living cells and tissue.
A third beamline, due for completion later this year, will be used in protein crystallography, enabling scientists to better study the structure of viruses and develop more targeted drugs.
A further, fourth, imaging beamline will in future enable researchers to study objects such as archaeological artefacts with more precision and without having to transport them outside the region.
Israeli-born Professor Roy Beck-Barkai, of Tel Aviv University, has been at the forefront of efforts to establish SESAME as a world class facility.
"We're going to have good experimental laboratories used for many different disciplines to study new materials, new fossils, new biological samples, in order to advance science in the region and for humanity," he said.
"SESAME is very important because it ties together all the regional neighbours to work together to accomplish scientific good for all. Building those kind of bridges is important."
Constructed with the aim of building "scientific and cultural bridges between diverse societies", SESAME's founding members are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. The total investment in the project to date is around $90 million, with many in-kind donations of equipment and expertise from other laboratories.
By allowing Middle Eastern researchers to access the SESAME facilities, regional governments also hope to limit the 'brain drain' driving students to research facilities abroad. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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