Israel Active

Israel’s Gasngo has developed technology solutions to enable authorized drivers to refuel without having to use a credit card or perform a cash transaction. A Radio Frequency (RFID) tag on the vehicle is read by the pump’s nozzle. The solution has been installed in more than 3,000 gas stations.

In the basement of Tel Aviv University, a network of 100 computers is running a sophisticated artificial intelligence program to re-assemble the 157,514 fragments from the Cairo genizah. The pieces from documents dating from the 9th to 19th centuries should be matched by June 25.

Visit Rehovot on June19th to hear top Weizmann lecturers at the 4th annual “Beer, Science and Good Spirits” event. In local bars and cafes you can learn about secrets of the universe, curing cancer, growing body parts, quantum computing, the origins of life etc. over a glass of beer, wine or coffee.

Once a week, 76 excelling and gifted students from Haifa’s Hebrew Reali School visit Haifa’s Science Museum (MadaTech) to crack codes, discover the secrets of chemistry, engage in mathematical thinking, construct robots and explore the world of space. They conduct their own in-depth research, develop problem-solving strategies and strengthen their critical thinking, originality and creativity.

Starting this month, the new Sorek desalination plant will provide up to 26,000 cubic meters – or nearly 7 million gallons – of drinking water every hour. When it is at full capacity, it will be the largest desalination plant of its kind in the world.

The Israeli firm Indolive is helping farmers to grow olives in the Rajasthan – a desert state with complex soil conditions in the west of India.

Israel’s Netafim, the pioneer of drip irrigation and the world’s largest irrigation company, has been named the 2013 Stockholm Industry Water Award laureate. The award committee said, “Netafim’s remarkable achievements, helping farmers across the world to ‘grow more with less’, are directly contributing to a more water and food secure world.”

In a twist on the usual scenario, Israeli networking equipment manufacturer Mellanox has bought California-based silicon-photonics technology pioneer Kotura. The acquisition provides Mellanox with Kotura’s 100-megabit data transmission capability and perhaps even more.

Haifa-based IBM Research Lab scientists have developed “Big Data” algorithms that can interpret utility meter readings and sensors to detect water leaks. Israel’s Arad Metering Technologies will integrate IBM’s new consumption pattern analytics program into their smart metering system.

(Thanks to NoCamels) Israeli designer Nir Meiri’s Marine Light project uses seaweed to make lampshades. He writes that seaweed is harvested on a commercial scale, “as a result of a growing interest driven by environmental concerns.” Meiri presented his creation at Milan Design Week.