4th phase of Israel’s drone program
Israel’s National Drone Network Initiative reached its fourth phase (see previously) with day and night flights above Gush Dan and Yeruham to integrate drones in routine activities such as transporting basic products and first aid. Drones will also be used for real-time monitoring of traffic.
Rolling out from the sewers
Israel’s Kando (see previously) has been conducting a two-year pilot study of coronavirus infections using the wastewater in the sewers of several Israeli cities. The project will now be rolled out nationally to predict and help counter future Covid-19 outbreaks.
Disinfecting with Ozone
Israel’s MyCleanBit has developed an eco-friendly disinfectant that uses ozone to get surfaces germ-free in just a few seconds. (See for other Israeli disinfectants that use ozone.)
Wave power for Israel
At Jaffa Port, Israel’s Eco Wave Power (see previously) is installing its system to produce clean energy from ocean and sea waves. It will be the first time in Israeli history that wave energy will officially connect to the national electrical grid. Israel’s government is funding 50% of the project.
Maintaining healthy soil
Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have founded DOTS (Data of the Soil), which has developed an electro-optical nitrate sensor based on absorption spectroscopy, for continuous monitoring of nitrate levels in the soil. It prevents over-fertilization and reduces water resource pollution.
Zero waste optical lenses
Researchers from Israel’s Technion Institute have discovered an innovative and comparably cheap, way to make optical lenses. It avoids the 80% waste of grinding and shaping glass slabs. A polymer is injected into a ring-shaped frame under water. Its benefits range from spectacles to telescopes.
Filtering the air in the classroom
Israel’s health and education ministries have selected Israel’s Aura Smart Air (see previously) to pilot its filtration systems in 700 classrooms across Jerusalem to stop the spread of coronavirus. 150+ global educational institutions use Aura Smart Air filters in their classrooms.
Accidental breakthrough in cultivating meat
Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute stumbled onto a fast process for growing lab-grown meat. They found that cultivated meat grows much faster when the enzyme ERK is blocked. They have formed the Israeli startup ProFuse to take this further.
The largest cultivated steak to date
Israel’s MeaTech 3D (see previously) has successfully bio-printed the largest cultivated steak to date, producing a 3.67 oz (104-gram) product made with real muscle and fat cells.
On the fast track
Israel has approved a project to build a high-speed rail connection between Haifa and Tel Aviv for a travel time of 30 minutes. Also, Nahariya to Tel Aviv would be shortened to 54 minutes instead of more than hour-and-a-half. The trains will travel at up to 155 mph and the project will cost NIS 12 billion.