Israel Active

Researchers from Israel and the UK have discovered Red Sea corals that absorb blue light to make a protein to help them glow in the dark.  This only happens with healthy coral and only in the Red Sea. The study may help save dying corals in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

I reported previously that the Israeli-made Skystar 180 surveillance balloon system monitored Pope Francis on his visit to Uganda.  The balloon system, made by the Yavne-based RT Aerostat Systems, was back in action for the Pope’s recent visit to Colombia.

One of my subscribers has given me the URL of the site of a new source of Israeli technology and business news.  I will include selected articles in future newsletters.

Another good Israeli water story by Jeevan Vipinachandran. He writes that Israeli innovation in water conservation is benefiting water-stressed regions of the world, from Kenya to India to California. It can prevent wars from being waged over water scarcity.

I reported previously on the Hydro-Optic Ultraviolet technology of Israel’s Atlantium that purifies contaminated water systems.  It has recently been installed at the hydroelectric Hoover Dam to help prevent an invasive species of mussel from choking pipes.

Cornell Tech has officially dedicated its new campus on New York City’s Roosevelt Island, home of a major academic partnership between Cornell University and the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Over 500 people attended the inauguration.

I reported previously that Israel’s Car2Go (GoTo Global) would be launching its Auto Tel car sharing service in Tel Aviv this summer.  Since July, 170 Auto Tel vehicles have been in operation. Subscribers book a car 15 mins in advance via a smartphone app.

I reported previously on Israel’s PlaySight and its SmartCourt training system that began life training Israeli Air Force pilots. It was adapted for tennis training, basketball and now soccer with SmartPitch’s launch at the Soccerex convention in Manchester, UK.

More on the miniaturized hyperspectral technology developed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University . It now can be made as an add-on for a standard camera. Using compression sampling, it generates high quality images and video faster and far cheaper than currently available commercial devices.

I reported previously on the JNF hybrid bio-filter for purifying and recycling rainwater runoff at the Israeli city of Kfar Saba. Before attending Israel’s WATEC conference, the Czech delegation were shown the bio-filter as a possible solution to their polluted run-off water.