The international centre for Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) is the first of its kind in the Middle East. It was created under the auspices of UNESCO and came into existence as an intergovernmental organization (IGO) on 15 April 2004, in Allan, Balqa Governorate.

There are 60 operating synchrotron centers around the world, but once operational SESAME will be the first in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. The major applications of synchrotron light applications are in non-destructive analysis of substances to be used for medical and pharmaceutical purposes, structural molecular biology, molecular environmental sciences, surface and interface science, micro-electromechanical devices, X-ray imaging, archaeological microanalysis, material characterization and clinical medical applications.

The founding member states of SESAME are Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority and Turkey. France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, UK and the USA have the status of observer countries.

SESAME is expected to be fully operational in 2014.

Download:

• Brochure presenting the SESAME project and its history, structure and scientific potential
• Brochure presenting insight into some of the people behind the SESAME project and future users