Double-sided solar panels
Researchers have been trying to develop double-sided solar cells that can capture both direct and reflected sunlight for the last forty years. Israeli startup BSolar showcased their bifacial solar cells at a trade show in Germany. Their cells could produce up to 20% more energy than conventional cells.
Israelis help find nuclear particle
The recently discovered Higgs boson helps explain the structure of matter in the universe. A Weizmann team helped develop particle detectors, a Technion professor designed a key experiment, and several Israeli researchers were involved in building the accelerator.
Taxibot stars at UK air show
Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled plans for TaxiBot at the Farnborough Air Show. The semi-robotic vehicle, controlled by a plane's pilot, tows the plane from the terminal gate to the takeoff point without the need to operate the plane's engines. It can save 1000 litres of fuel for a Boeing 747.
Israeli teenagers come 2nd in International inventors competition
Six Yeruham youths won $5,000 by designing a “stick” that keeps the contents of a picnic basket cool. Breaking the stick causes chemicals to mix and freeze. It was the first time Israelis took part in FLL Global Innovation competition in Washington for youth scientists.
Israel in Space
This new video shows Israel’s satellite development. Israel is working with NASA, Italy (the Shalom project) and France (Venus satellite to study environment and vegetation). It features Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit, Rafael & Space-IL (Israel’s moon mission). In memory of Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut.
Israel’s next generation satellite
Israel’s Spacecom is to build the Amos 6 communications satellite for launching in 2015. Israel Aerospace Industries’ CEO said that Amos 6 will incorporate new technologies that represent a significant leap forward in the capabilities of IAI and the State of Israel in space.
Israel app “finds who your friends are”
A team from Ben Gurion University has developed Social Privacy Protector (SPP). It performs a deep IT analysis of a facebook “friend” to analyze if it is safe to give them access to your personal social data.
Engage tractor beams, Scotty
The fantasies of Star Trek may not be that far in the future. Israelis have already invented the Universal Translator and remote medical diagnostics. Now Mordechai Segev, from Israel’s Technion proposes negative radiation pressure to create a tractor beam and move small objects.
Israel’s water treatment plant is UN role model
The United Nations has selected the Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant, known as Shafdan, as a global role model for how local authorities can deal with environmental problems. Shafdan utilizes nearby sands as natural filters for part of the purification process.
New school for advanced science
World ORT KadimaMada has launched the Advanced Center for Science and Technology at the Sha’ar HaNegev Experimental School. The centre will enable students to study and conduct experiments at the cutting edge of science and technology.