Israel Active

Tel Aviv-based Tracense Systems has developed the world’s first nanotech-based “electronic nose” to sniff out security threats like bombs, biological warfare agents, and toxic liquids. The ‘laboratory-on-a-chip’ sensors even outperform “sniffer” dogs.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s LinX Imaging has developed miniature multi-aperture cameras for mobile devices. Twin sensors provide far better quality than standard single sensors. Functionality includes 3D face recognition and ability to refocus even after capture.

Israel is set to enter the thermo-solar arena by constructing the first thermo-solar field in Israel, at Ashelim in the Negev. The NIS 2.9 billion ($850 million) sun tower will generate 121MW of electric power (sufficient for a medium size Israeli city), which will be fed into the Israeli grid.

I always like to highlight when anti-Israel media feature an Israeli innovation. It took the UK Guardian newspaper 2 months to report on Consumer Physics’ SCIO sensor. I wonder what the sensor indicates when Guardian reporters test it on their brains.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Qlight has won the Best Nanotech Company of the Year award at Nanotech Israel 2014. Its nano-crystals enhance the quality and colors of LCD TV screens and LED lights while reducing energy consumption. Qlight is 50% owned by Merck.

Graduate student Michael Brandwein from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has incorporated a new module TZD into cardboard packaging for agricultural produce. TZD was synthesized at the HUJ, which is working with Kibbutz Beit Guvrin to commercialize the process.

Israel’s Webydo is one of the fastest growing designer communities in the world and has raised $7 million in investment for its website-creation cloud platform. With it, designers can create, manage, and host innovative websites, without writing code or hiring developers.

There has been a 63 per cent increase in the number of households that participate in Israel’s waste separation-at-source program. 43 local authorities now collect approximately 2,707 tons of organic waste per month, most going to compost and anaerobic digestion facilities.

Israel’s Como has developed a do-it-yourself, mobile-app authoring platform, which lets anyone build their own mobile app, without having to hire technical staff. 10 million people use Como-powered apps every day. Over one million apps have already been built using Como.

The incubator prize in the 2nd Smartup competition hosted by Bank Hapoalim and Globes includes 20,000 Shekels plus advice. HopOn’s smartphone app pays for public transport. Zeekit virtually fits clothes onto a person’s photo. See second article on GreenIQ’s garden computer.