Israel Active

I reported previously about Israeli companies Evogene and Rahan Meristem and their joint non-GMO development of bananas resistant to Black Sigatoka fungus. Now second-year field trials with specialized banana strains have shown effectiveness against the hugely damaging fungus.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has demonstrated its new Air Hopper unmanned helicopter. It simulated the evacuation of a seriously-wounded soldier, including airborne monitoring of vital signs. It also simulated carrying supplies (up to 180kg) to an isolated position in any weather or time.

Israel’s Shviro Holon has developed thin flexible polyester clear pockets, filled with a liquid that turns opaque immediately after connection to an electric circuit. The pockets can be stuck on glass partitions, to provide low-cost privacy at a touch of a button.

Israel’s Kryon Systems is developing intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions. The aim is to offload mundane processes to a more accurate, efficient and productive digital virtual workforce, enabling enterprises to focus on their core business. Kryon has just raised $12 million of funding.

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.