Israel Active

Israel’s position at the forefront of brain-computer interface is further enhanced by a new competition called “Brainihack” at which neuroscientists, artists, designers, robotics experts etc. will develop viable products in one weekend. Meanwhile Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart used his brainwaves to produce a light show at his concert in Jerusalem.

Another article about Israel’s Sol-Chip and its solar-powered battery that never needs replacing.

The satellite Amos 4, built by Israel Aerospace Industries and operated by the Israeli company Spacecom, has been launched successfully into space from Kazakhstan. The satellite will provide services such as Direct-to-Home, video distribution, VSAT communications and broadband Internet.

The Gav Yam Industrial Park Negev will consist of 23 buildings on a 50-acre site adjacent to Ben Gurion University and the planned IDF C4I Corps campus. Beersheva Mayor Rubik Danilovich hopes the hi-tech park will turn the city into a technological powerhouse.

On a five-day visit to Israel, 62 of China’s senior managers participated in a Technion workshop titled “Visit to Israel – An In-Depth Journey to the Factory World Innovation.” They also saw leading Israeli companies Iscar, Amiad Water Systems, Biosense Webster, Stratasys, NaanDanJain Irrigation and Gilat Satellite Networks.

Deep Junior, a program written by Israelis Amir Ban and Shay Bushinsky, and running on a Dual 12 core Intel Xenon I5 2.7 GHz computer, won the World Computer Chess Championship in Yokohama, Japan. Junior has now won six of the last eleven tournaments.

Technion Professor Uri Shavit and his team are conducting research that will contribute to helping secure the world's coral reefs. Using a Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV) laboratory, they measure flows in Eilat - one of the few places in the world where this research can be carried out.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Following the Carmel forest fires last year, Israel’s Ministry of Public Security used theoretical models and live feeds to develop the Matash Fire Forecasting System - the first operational system of its kind in the world. It has already helped to control and extinguish forest fires in Israel.

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have discovered the biochemical process responsible for producing glycoalkaloids – the poisonous chemicals in many wild plants. The discovery will help make new food crops and provide edible crops with protection from disease and pests.

Relative to its population, Israel has more engineers than any other country in the world. Here, high-tech entrepreneurs offer their theories on why Israel is a hotbed for startup companies.