Israel Active

Tel Aviv University scientists have developed unique spatiotemporal imaging technology to capture the movement of excitons (tiny Quantum particles). They now hope to discover ways of manipulating and storing light for use in communications and photonics-based quantum computers.

There are too many new Israeli cybersecurity startups for me to report on all of them. However, it is worth keeping an eye on nsKnox Technologies whose payment protection technology allows companies to validate payment authenticity. nsKnox’s founder Alon Cohen previously founded security giant CyberArk.

Does your fridge know that you’re hungry? Does your shirt know how you feel?  Does your car talk to you?  The IoT (Internet of Things) can connect almost everything to the Internet. See here AutoTel (car rental), Prisma Photonics (fiber sensing) and Quickwy / Nexite (clothing tags).

The Israeli-developed Hyfit Wearable Gym comprises a system of resistance bands to enable the performance of 250 different exercises. Embedded sensors track progress, resistance and calories burned. The companion app provides feedback, motivation and helps plan exercise routines.

Israeli drip irrigation specialists Netafim and Ben Gurion University’s BGN Technologies have signed a 3-year partnership with Bayer AG. The three will develop drip irrigation as a delivery system for Bayer’s pesticide to combat plant-parasitic worms and other crop protection products.

I reported previously on Israel’s Utilis (now Asterra) which detect leaks in water pipes using satellite data and technology developed to detect water on Mars and Venus.  Utilis now works with 120 water companies in 31 countries. (Of course, the BBC video doesn’t mention it’s Israeli.)

Three professors from Israel’s Technion Institute gave lectures to large numbers of non-Jewish UK biology students at London’s Science Museum. Separately, Technion UK CEO Alan Aziz is organizing a trip for 60 students from Imperial College London to Israel in March.

If SpaceIL’s Beresheet spacecraft completes its mission on April 11, Israel will join superpowers US, Russia and China in landing a spacecraft on the moon. Little Israel. With the smallest spacecraft ever to be sent to the moon. But as Israelis know, on tech issues, size doesn’t matter. Live data Website for more info on Beresheet - - TY Jacob Richman)

On Thu 21st Feb at 20:45 EST, I watched the live launch of the rocket carrying Beresheet - Israel SpaceIL’s (and the world’s first) privately-funded moon lander. See video launch at 16:30; Stage 1 separation at T+3mins; booster return at T+9 and Beresheet deployment at T+33 and keep watching.

Israel is to establish an innovation laboratory specializing in environmental protection and sustainability. The government will provide millions of shekels to participating startups. Priority will be given to those with solutions for highly-polluting industries near to population centers.