Twenty-nine researchers from thirteen countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe, recently gained practical experience at SESAME, applying newly honed skills in synchrotron techniques. The hands-on training, the in-person culmination of the SUNSTONE program, focused on methods like X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline, alongside environmental science and archaeometry schools. “I am delighted to see the SUNSTONE hands-on training come to fruition at the SESAME synchrotron,” said Hubert Chevreau, leader of SUNSTONE Work Package 3 at SOLEIL, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and scientific excellence across the Middle East and Africa.
The Science in operando school centered on X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, utilizing the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline to provide focused practical experience. Participants gained direct exposure to this technique, building on prior knowledge from general lectures and online sessions that introduced synchrotron radiation and data analysis methods. This hands-on component allowed researchers to translate theoretical understanding into experimental practice alongside SESAME’s beamline scientists, fostering a collaborative environment for scientific advancement, the company says.
Researchers also received specialized training in environmental science and archaeometry, employing soft X-ray techniques at the ID11L-HESEB and ID11R-TXPES beamlines, and synchrotron X-ray computed tomography at the ID10-BEATS beamline, respectively. Latif Ullah Khan and Messaoud Harfouche spearheaded the XAFS instruction, while Abdellatif SaadAldin led the BEATS training, demonstrating a targeted approach to knowledge transfer. Mustafa Fatih Genişel, Ahlam Farhan, and Zeynep Ozturk oversaw activities at the HESEB and TXPES facilities, further diversifying the expertise imparted during the week-long program.
Beyond experimental techniques, the training addressed a critical, often overlooked aspect of synchrotron research: proposal writing. Gihan Kamel delivered lectures focused on crafting successful proposals, guiding participants in formulating clear, technically sound requests for synchrotron beamtime. The program’s structure, combining theoretical instruction with practical application and proposal development, aimed to equip researchers with a comprehensive skillset for maximizing the impact of synchrotron radiation in their respective fields.
Source: https://www.sesame.org.jo/news/sunstone-hands-training-brings-researchers-sesames-beamlines
