Researching biofuels with Canada
The Israel-Canada Workshop on Advanced Biofuels in Rehovot, brought together scientists from both countries looking at ways to convert left-over harvest wheat into liquid fuel. Also the shrinking paper market means Canada’s forestry industry is looking for a new outlet.
Transforming Indian cities
Tel Aviv’s municipality has partnered with the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Jaffa to assist in turning the Indian cities of Pune, Nagpur and Nashik in the northwestern state of Maharashtra into “smart cities”. Israelis will mentor Indian city officials in technological urban transformation.
Fast optical communication for the Internet
Israel’s ColorChip produces optical chips that transmit Internet data on optical wavelengths, providing faster speeds and carrying more data. ColorChip has just raised another $25 million of funds.
One of the hottest startups of 2015
CNBC has included Israel’s Lishtot in its list of 20 of the world's hottest start-ups of 2015. Lishtot detects water pollutants from the changes they make to the electromagnetic properties of drinking water.
Technology teaches kids to cross the street
An initiative of Ben Gurion University and Holon Institute of Technology equips children with Virtual Reality devices to train them in road safety. 40 minutes of hazard-detection training on 18 simulated Israeli streets gave the kids the same crossing skills as adults.
Millions use Israeli app after Paris attacks
During the 24 hours after the Paris terror attacks, 4.1 million people checked in with friends and relatives using Facebook Safety Check, a technology developed by Facebook Israel’s research and development department. The app then sent messages to 360 million people to inform them that their loved ones were safe.
3D printing in metal
Israeli startup Xjet has developed technology to print 3D objects made of metal (current 3D printing is based on plastic). It could revolutionize the production of custom-made metal objects, which currently require an expensive mold to take liquid metal that then solidifies.
Protecting mobile apps
Israeli startup AppDome protects any mobile application. It allows users to download a secure version of an app within minutes and distribute it via the App Store or Google Play. AppDome was named 2015 Gartner Cool Vendor in Mobile Security and has just raised $13 million of funding.
Get a better job, faster
Israeli startup Highr recently completed Microsoft’s accelerator program and is now matching qualified people to technical job vacancies with a success rate of 78%.
A much better tour
Israeli start-up Manage Your Trip collects, collates and analyzes data to determine the pluses and minuses of a tour, a guide, a venue, a restaurant, a bus company, and many other factors. The system is geared not only to provide tourists with a better experience – but tour organizers with bigger profits.