Israel Active

Israel only has eight universities, but in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities (known as the Shanghai list), three appeared in the top 100 and four in the top 100 for scientific studies. Hebrew U (38), Technion (39, TAU (51) and Weizmann (75).

Green Motors International (GMI) is an Israeli start-up developing and manufacturing electric scooters. They are being marketed as “the poor man’s Better Place – Israel’s world-leading electric car infrastructure. The scooters are assembled in Nazareth.

Artist M. C. Escher was famous for his 2-dimensional drawings of “impossible” 3-dimensional buildings. Now Prof. Gershon Elber of Israel’s Technion has used technology plus a 3D Israeli Objet printer to build models that show how the illusions work in reality.

Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom approved a NIS 10 million renewable energy program for the Eilat-Eilot region. Laboratories will be set-up for bio-energy, biofuels, hydrogen, solar energy and more. 40% of the budget is allocated for regional cooperation with Jordan.

Israel’s Siano has launched the Carmel - a miniature digital terrestrial TV accessory for receiving live TV stations on your iPhone or iPad. In Israel, UK and much of Europe you can pick up all the available free channels in high quality and without any network connection. You don’t even need a TV license.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Meteo-Logic has developed an innovative technology, which turns weather stations into forecasting points that provide highly accurate weather forecasts. It can determine the temperature, humidity, wind intensity, wind direction and rainfall expected six hours ahead.

Technological progress must be balanced against its impact on health and the environment. This Hebrew University International Symposium illustrates the importance that Israeli scientists place on this issue.

Israeli scientists are making huge strides in winemaking. The Golan Heights Winery has harnessed technology to eradicate viruses; match vines with the best subsoil and use satellite models to monitor the microclimate and ensure correct irrigation and harvesting.

Some 250 top scientific minds from 22 Asian countries, including at least five Nobel Prize winners will gather in Jerusalem at the end of the month for one of the most prestigious youth science gatherings ever held in Israel — the Asian Science Camp.

(Thanks to NoCamels) Weizmann Institute scientists have discovered how sulphur regulates oxygen in our atmosphere. Specifically, when the iron-sulphur mineral known as pyrite (or fool’s gold) dissolves in seawater, microbes use it to digest organic matter. This releases oxygen in the pyrite.