The International Center for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) has officially launched its fifth beamline, nicknamed BEATS, providing a new research tool for scientists in the region. According to a SESAME statement on Tuesday, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahaftha inaugurated the BEATS beamline, which will provide full-field X-ray radiography and tomography; two powerful and non-destructive techniques for 3D imaging and analysis of a large variety of objects and materials, and thus greatly expand the scientific capabilities of the SESAME and scientific research opportunities in the region. The BEATS beamline may be used in a large range of scientific and technological applications ranging from medicine, biology, engineering, and materials science to earth and planetary sciences, thus representing a key asset for researchers in the SESAME region. The fifth beamline has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program with a 6-million-euro grant. It was designed, built and operated by leading research facilities in the Middle East (SESAME and the Cyprus Institute), and European synchrotron radiation facilities: ALBA-CELLS (Spain), DESY (Germany), Elettra (Italy), the ESRF (France), INFN (Italy), PSI (Switzerland) and SOLARIS (Poland). Mahaftha highlighted aspects of cooperation between Jordan and the European Union in the fields of education, higher education and scientific research, aimed at improving the quality of education and developing basic and professional skills for students, trainers and workers in this field, in addition to developing curricula and strengthening regional and international cooperation in the field of scientific research, education and vocational training. For his part, Chairman of SESAME's Council Rolf-Dieter Heuer stated that the center brings together researchers from the Middle East and neighboring countries, noting that the new beamline will enhance regional channels of cooperation and knowledge exchange between scientists. The growth of scientific knowledge and experience contributes in turn to economic development and innovation and competitiveness of the region as a whole, he added. For his part, Director of SESAME Khaled Toukan underscored that X-ray radiography and tomography technology add analytical capabilities to a large variety of materials and will provide a new research tool for many scientific fields. In turn, the European Union Ambassador Maria Hadjitheodosiou said that the "BEATS" beamline will enhance the role of SESAME as a center in advanced scientific research and boost international recognition of the scientific partnerships of researchers in the Middle East.
Source: Jordan News Agency
