ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

Technion researchers have developed designs for a new type of wind turbine that rotates around a vertical axis, as opposed to the horizontal axis of traditional turbines. The design enables the blades to move at roughly the same speed as the wind, seven times slower than traditional turbines, allowing for higher efficiency and better performance at low wind speeds.

Israeli startup Electriq Global is establishing a manufacturing facility in the Port of Amsterdam that will convert hydrogen gas into a powder, which can then be turned into electricity through a proprietary dehydrogenation process. The technology allows for the simplified storage and transport of energy, moving the material via trucks or ships and allowing for the production of electricity in remote locations without electric grid infrastructure.

Israeli company DenovAI seeks to leverage artificial intelligence and computational molecular biophysics methods to develop new proteins from scratch. The technology aims to speed up the time-intensive and costly selection of potential antibodies as drug candidates in labs, with the potential to cut “discovery timelines from months to days.”

A new study from researchers at Tel Aviv University characterizes a new mechanism for the formation of metastases in the brain, cancer that typically produces survival rates less than one year. The team identified the LCN2 protein is a key factor in inducing neuroinflammation in the brain, and that inhibiting this mechanism “significantly reduced the development of brain metastases in lab models.”

Materials science startup Balena has created footwear made of fully compostable materials, hoping to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by clothing and shoe brands. The shoes are made of a flexible thermoplastic, easily used in applications like 3D printing and injection molding, but with the ability to decompose back into the earth without leaving harmful chemicals or excessive waste.

From Weizmann Wonder Wander - NASA plans to launch Israel’s first space telescope, the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite, into high-Earth orbit in 2026 as a part of a new partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. With a field of view of 204 square degrees, the satellite offers 100 times the extra-galactic volume accessible for the discovery and observation of transient events, such as neutron star mergers and supernova explosions.

Engineers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a robot that moves quickly and efficiently on both land and in water. The robot, whose movement is inspired by centipedes on land and by flippers in water, is powered by a single motor, with potential applications in search and rescue in the wake of natural disasters and in marine agriculture.

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University treated 30 mice with Alzheimer’s with a novel molecule, finding that all subjects regained full cognitive ability. The drug focuses on correcting abnormal mitochondrial activity associated with Alzheimer’s, instead of reducing the amount of plaque in the brain as many other treatments aim to do. Though the initial sample is small, researchers hope their molecule may be developed into a drug for treatment within a decade.

Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, signed a series of agreements with Argentina to build “comprehensive master plans for the water sector.” The agreement will allow for the implementation of Israeli water innovation to make the most out of the country’s natural resources, while coping with the effects of climate change and ecological destabilization.

Israeli startup Blue Tree Technologies has developed a method to reduce the sugar content in orange juice without harming the drink’s taste or nutritional value. The method targets disaccharides, sugar molecules not associated with the aroma and mouthfeel of juices, using a proprietary compound to filter the juice without harming the pulp, vitamin C, or amino acids that provide nutrients to the consumer.

From The Jerusalem Post - Israeli company Camero-Tech supplied the IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue Brigade with two models of its unique radar systems to help search for and locate survivors of recent deadly earthquakes in Turkey. The system uses radio wave frequencies higher than most existing radar systems, enabling rescuers to develop imaging through walls and rubble instead of underground, while remaining easy to use and quickly unpacked from a bag.

Israeli packaging company StePac has partnered with materials company BASF to create packaging for produce that controls humidity, slowing respiration inside the package and preserving quality and nutritional value for longer periods of time. The technology aims to cut down on food waste while reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the produce supply chain, often enabling sea transport instead of air.

Israeli startup SimpliiGood has developed the first plant-based meat and fish substitute derived from spirulina, a highly nutritious alga. The technology compresses the algae cells into “tissues” that form a texture similar to beef, fish or other seafood, while providing the consumer antioxidants and essential minerals. The algae is also easy to grow, only requiring sunlight and nutrients.

Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a novel method for the imaging of individual electrons, particles about ten trillion times smaller than the best resolution MRI machine. The sensor is capable of measuring the location of a single electron with astounding accuracy, technology that may have industrial applications in the development of pharmaceuticals and the characterization of quantum materials.

Israeli company Grace Breeding has developed a sustainable way of delivering nutrients to crops, with promising results from early trials in Brazil. The replacement for urea showed fast germination rates and equal or better plant growth in corn seedlings, while initial tests on wheat crops in Israel found an 18% increase in yield, all without the use of synthetic nitrogen.

Jerusalem-based startup MagniLearn recently introduced an AI-directed program to learn English as a second language tailored specifically to Arabic speakers. The online program enlists a “linguistic engine” to understand where learners are struggling and tailor lessons to meet their individual needs.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have identified new proteins that are related to a patient’s risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which causes loss of eyesight at advanced age. The research team was able to single out two proteins that specifically regulate a layer of tissue that supports photoreceptors in the retina through gene knockout experiments in both a mouse model and in human cells.

Galilee Medical Center is set to implement a first-of-its-kind smart room to manage inventory of operating room medical equipment. The room is the result of a partnership between software firm Autonomi and medical equipment supplier Sarel to automate and simplify inventory tracking of medical equipment, preventing both the waste of equipment due to overstock and the postponement of medical procedures due to lack of equipment by tracking equipment stock levels in real time.

Israeli company Bio-Fence has developed an additive to paint and other coatings that enables surfaces to prevent the growth of bacteria following the application of disinfectant for weeks to months following application, compared to minutes without the coating. The coating only requires reapplication once every five years, with immediate applications in the food industry to prevent outbreaks of dangerous bacteria like listeria.

Israeli startup MetoMotion has developed a robot to pick and harvest tomatoes automatically using AI. The device utilizes an advanced vision system to detect tomatoes ripe for picking, cut and catch tomato branches, a tool the company hopes will help tackle the labor shortage in the agriculture industry.

Israeli company Minovia Therapeutics is developing a novel technique called mitochondrial augmentation therapy for treating children with rare mitochondrial diseases. The treatment infuses diseased hematopoietic stem cells with healthy mitochondria and injects them back into the patient, hoping the cells then engraft in the patient’s bone marrow and replicate the new mitochondria in all blood cells.

A study from researchers at Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, and Rambam Health Care Center found that people with autism experience pain more intensely than people without, reversing previous assumptions that people with autism are more pain insensitive. The findings of the study could have a major impact on how people with autism are treated when receiving medical care to make the experience less painful for these individuals.

Israeli startup MindTension is offering a computerized solution that measures a more exact level of attention deficit in ADHD patients, allowing for the development of precise treatment. The device measures the brainstem’s reflexive response to auditory sounds, allowing doctors to quantify attention and diagnose patients more quickly and accurately.

Doctors at Wolfson Medical Center successfully implemented a new treatment for pancreatic cancer for the first time in Israel. The treatment involves the injection of Oncosil, a radioactive substance, delivering “a large and concentrated amount of radiation directly into the tumor without affecting and damaging other organs,” a large benefit over traditional chemotherapy.

The Kind Hamad American Mission Hospital in Bahrain will collaborate with Sheba Medical Center in Israel to “promote medical research and innovation.” The hospital, set to be fully operational in March 2023, hopes the collaboration helps young entrepreneurs “access world-class research and improve healthcare in the region.”

A study from scientists at Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University identified methylation as a cause for the disruption of proper gene expression in patients with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome that causes disorders in brain development. Though methylation is a normal process that prevents gene expression in cells when appropriate, the study found abnormal methylation in cells from the frontal lobe of the brain in Williams patients that prevents the expression of key genes related to the development of several neural functions.

Ben-Gurion University researchers have uncovered a key preventative measure to impede DNA breakdown that may cause aging and neurodegenerative disease. Scientists found that the SIRT6 protein is a key regulator of mitochondrial function in the brain; in the absence of this protein, mitochondrial genes are downregulated, impairing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and causing major metabolic changes.

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University identified a protein interaction that enables breast cancer to metastasize, successfully halting the advance of the cancer using a newly developed molecular blocker. After administering the blocker to breast cancer-bearing mice, scientists found the mice’s lungs remained healthier with few or no metastases, a discovery that could lead to the development of a new therapeutic drug.

Israeli company Imagene AI has developed an algorithm to analyze digital biopsies and return a diagnosis in just two minutes, slashing the traditional time from biopsy to diagnosis of four weeks needed for routine lab testing. The technology can identify cell mutations in eight different organs, searching for 28 different biomarkers, and is currently implemented in several hospitals under clinical trial.

Israeli startup Verobotics has signed a $5.4 million collaboration agreement with Hong Kong-based robotics company Robocore to supply robots for the inspection and cleaning of skyscrapers. The autonomous robots weigh under 10 kilograms and are easily installed, making the dangerous, labor-intensive work usually done by humans much safer and more efficient.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created a robot, fitted with locust antenna, that has a sense of smell stronger than any other electronic device created to date. The research team devised a way to keep the locust antenna alive artificially, then translated signals picked up by the antenna into signals that could be responded to by the robot. The technology may be used for the detection of drugs, explosives, or diseases.

From ISRAEL21c - Israeli company Neteera Technologies has developed a small device to monitor a patient’s heart rate, respiration rate, respiration depth, and inhale-exhale ratio without touching the patient. The device uses high-frequency radar that detects skin movement, allowing it to work through clothing and bedding, and from up to five feet away.

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has signed an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to collaborate on the identification and pursuit of scientific breakthroughs involving artificial intelligence and drug development. The agreement will allow Technion researchers to take on real-world challenges in drug development, applying their world-leading expertise in artificial intelligence technologies.

Jerusalem startup Healables has designed a wearable sleeve embedded with electrodes to stimulate damaged cells into repairing themselves. The sleeve is to be worn for between 30 and 60 minutes per day, administering a very low-level electric current to relieve chronic pain without the use of painkillers.

Researchers from Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a computational method to design active enzymes from modular building blocks with very high efficiency. The tool has been used to design 12,000 active enzymes in a single experiment, work that would take years using traditional methods.

The Israel Innovation Authority outlined its areas of focus for the 2023 calendar year, including funding for three new “innovation consortiums” in photonics, metasurfaces, and black soldier fly farming. The funding is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in Israel’s tech industry to take on high-risk projects that could enable penetration into new markets.

Israeli company Aura Air has developed a four-stage air purification and disinfection device that can help fight the simultaneous surge in Covid-19, flu, and RSV cases. An independent study on the effectiveness of the device showed that it filters and removes 99.99% of airborne RSV particles, 99.99% of airborne Covid-19 particles, and 99.98% of airborne flu particles, along with a host of other allergens and pathogens.

Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, is establishing a new national research center, titled the Israel Center for Applied Systems Analysis. The center will focus on sustainability as “a hub for science-based policy making at the national and local governmental levels,” connecting research teams from institutions around the world.

The Israel Innovation Authority announced a $14 million budget for proposals to build new research and development facilities focused on precision fermentation technology to produce alternative proteins. The IIA hopes the funding will encourage startups to increase their production sizes and capabilities, enabling them to conduct consumer testing and obtain regulatory food certifications.

Technion researchers have devised a method to derive electricity from a succulent plant, creating a ‘bio-solar cell’ that runs on photosynthesis. The technology uses an iron anode and platinum cathode to derive electricity from electrons moving through the plant from natural biochemical processes, a method that could be utilized in the future development of sustainable energy technologies.

The first Israeli nanosatellite was launched with the Falcon 9 vehicle from SpaceX, thanks to its development by scientists at Tel Aviv University. The satellite is a major step toward quantum communication, including the protection of information channels through quantum cryptography. The device is scheduled to orbit for five years, communicating with the optical ground station on TAU’s campus.

An immunotherapy developed by researchers at Bar Ilan University has been licensed for commercialization by US pharmaceutical company Immix BioPharma. The treatment removes healthy white blood cells from patients, adds a molecule that helps recognize and kill certain cancer cells, and returns the cells to the body. Partial results from an ongoing study of the treatment at Hadassah Medical Center showed improvement in 85% of patients, with 57% going into remission.

New technology is aiding KKL-JNF’s Forestry Department in helping detect wildfires earlier, allowing firefighters to control these fires much earlier and much more effectively. The department has implemented the Tinshemet-Toren thermal imaging system, a drone that can detect irregular heat or movement and pinpoint its exact location, up to 100 kilometers away.