Shaping the future of science & society

Ben Gurion University Prof Benyamin Rosental has won a Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2022 Award. He has applied his research into stem cell transplantation to that of coral reefs to allow them to resist changes in temperature. He also has a personal “falling wall” link.

Impossible art in space

A piece of Israeli art can only be assembled in space. It involves water attaching to a metal structure in weightless conditions. This video shows what happened when Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe initiated the assembly process on the Axio-1 mission on the International Space Station.

Anti-radiation vests launched

NASA’s Artemis-1 mission to the Moon finally took off from Cape Canaveral, carrying a manakin named Zohar, wearing AstroRad radiation protection vests made by Israel’s StemRad (see previously). Zohar even had her very own Israeli passport. Sensors will measure cosmic radiation.

Urban innovation conference

MUNIEXPO - the Local Government Exhibition for Innovation (Dec 6 – 8) in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is one of the largest gatherings for local governments in the region. The 12,000 visitors, including global municipal leaders, will see 130+ Israel startups present cutting-edge and smart city solutions.

Prop-tech conference

PropTech Tel Aviv last week included Israel’s Reichman University, which accepts up to 40 students (from 400 applicants) onto its PropTech Program. The University’s practical course prepares students for the challenges of the real estate world and its technological solutions.

PhD program in Artificial Intelligence

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has joined with Meta AI to create a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence PhD program to drive cutting-edge research. Meta will provide mentors and scholarships and students will have access to Meta’s computational infrastructure and facilities.

Breakthrough in splitting water to produce hydrogen

Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have made a breakthrough at the molecular level that could vastly reduce the energy required to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis. It has major potential ramifications for the fuel industry.

Solar energy on the Moon

Prof Jeffrey Gordon of Israel’s Ben Gurion University presented to NASA scientists his solar power alternative to NASA’s plan to use nuclear energy on the Moon. His polar installation design overcomes the problem that any point on the Moon will be in darkness for two weeks every month.

Growing tomatoes even in drought

Israel’s Grace Breeding can grow tomatoes even during a drought. Its Wide Defense System (WDS) formula boosts the growth of the tomato root system and improves nutrient absorption from the soil. Trials show that a once-a-season application increases yields by 17%.

A machine is only as good as its components

Israel’s Cybord uses Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to check that components of an electronic device are genuine (i.e. not counterfeit) and 100% quality. Cybord has just partnered with Siemens Digital Industries, to expand Cybord’s reach across the industry.