All posts by admin

DR. CELL – Nanomedicine

Leave a comment
Faculty member at the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Prof. Marcelle Machluf of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, has developed a platform for encapsulating engineered stem cells that can reduce the volume of a malignant tumor by 87 percent and decrease its weight by 83 percent.

The patented research was published in the scientific journal FASEB (Federation of the American Society for Experimental Biology.)

 
 

TWINKLE TWINKLE ~ Nano diamonds in Space

1 Comment


Like diamonds in the sky, Technion nano-diamonds reach for the stars. Right now, the precious nano jewels are travelling in space. When they return, they will bring the planet’s top space researchers vital information about future uses of nanotechnology beyond this world.

The Atlantis space shuttle brought two RBNI nano-diamonds to the International Space Station in 2009. The nano-diamonds will spend a year in space and return to earth for analysis. This will bring data for the possibility of using nanodiamonds in space applications such as satellites. Nano Ph.D student Ze’ev Shpilman is researching the interaction between diamonds – the hardest material on earth – and the space environment. “In the future, diamonds in space could be used for clear optical coatings that conduct heat or detect radiation,” explains Shpilman. In an article published  in Applied Physics Letters by Prof. Hoffman, Dr. Irina Gouzman, and Ze’ev Shpilman, the scientists reported the discoveries made in the space simulation lab at Soreq NRC: if diamonds are grown in the lab in a specific direction, slowly and methodically – they will then be more durable in the space environment. The Israeli scientists teamed up with a group from Montana State University, where Prof. Tim Minton’s group also tested the diamonds with another kind of simulator, and included them in their set of samples for a NASA mission.

HEALING GOLD

Leave a comment
Dr. Dvir Yellin

RBNI faculty member Dr. Dvir Yelin has made world headlines showing that gold nanoparticles could be used as a revolutionary treatment for cancer.
Using evidence that gold nanoparticles have a 600% greater affinity for cancerous cells than normal, healthy cells, Yelin’s non-invasive treatment is able to target cancerous cells and destroy them, without harming healthy cells in the body. The tumor is illuminated via an endoscopic laser-based miniature optical fibre, explains Yelin. Intense laser illumination dismantles the material within the cancer cell through ionisation. The cancerous cell then dies, without damaging any of the healthy cells surrounding the tumor.

The research won backing from the European Union, which has donated a grant of €2 million as well as a further grant of over $1 million from the Israel Science Foundation. “Technion has a very good reputation,” says the headline-making Yelin: “It is already a leading academic institute in biomedical engineering, and my field is biomedical optics. So it feels like a perfect match.”


THE NANO TUBE

Leave a comment
Prof. Ishi Talmon


Scientists hope that in the future they can use the fibers spun from carbon nanotubes to conduct electricity efficiently over great distances, and to produce very strong building materials that will be lighter than conventional materials.

Publishing in Nature Nanotechnology, RBNI’s Director Prof. Ishi Talmon together with Prof. Yachin Cohen and a team at Rice University headed by Prof. Matteo Pasquali, has shown that carbon nanotubes can be dispersed in “Super Acid.” This could revolutionize materials science and nanoeletronics; could be the first stage in spinning fibers from carbon nanotubes; and could revolutionize household electricity and even the kind of cars we drive.

“The challenge facing researchers around the world is – how to turn those tubes, whose diameter is 1-2 nanometers into something useful on a large scale, such as efficient cables for conducting electricity, or strong, lightweight building materials,” says Talmon.

Proofs of Progress, Prof. Yeshayahu Talmon, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute

Leave a comment
RBNI Director Prof. Yeshayahu Talmon
 
 
The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute has become an exemplary paradigm for progress. By giving inspired, but grounded, structure to create and nurture research into nanotechnology and science at Technion, the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute is at the global forefront of transforming teaching, science, technology and industry.

Active, ground-breaking research into the nano-dimension has been thriving in individual labs across the many faculties of the Technion for over a decade. The ingenuity, curiosity, expertise and global scientific direction was scattered in individual projects across campus long before the festive dedication ceremony of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute on June 7th 2005, held together with the visionary Russell Berrie Foundation trustees.

Yet the formation of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute as a unified multidisciplinary structure committed to nurturing nano research and cooperation, and bringing the expert infrastructure to campus to make that research possible had a local, national and international impact. Month by month we are witnessing a revolution and evolution of science, as Israel takes its place through a powerful, supportive structure at the pioneering frontier of future science and technology. Nano is not a dream or a fantasy, it is a global need – directed by the progress of science and technology in all fields, and thanks to the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion scientists are in a position where they can answer that need, maintaining Israel’s position at the cutting edge of world-class research and innovation.

The Triangle Donation Matching (TDM) 5-year program to transform Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NN) research in Israeli universities was set up in 2005 at the Technion. The rapid and evident success of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute (resulting partly from the great pool of excellent scientists already active in nanoresearch at Technion) inspired the birth of five other such nano centers at other universities in Israel in 2006, leading to a total investment of $220 million over five years in addition to tens of millions of dollars raised in research funds from Israeli and international funding agencies. The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute has also had a dramatic impact on the development of Israeli nano industry.

The momentum of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute and the clarity of its vision and direction inspired other philanthropists to answer the call of scientific need and to invest in the future. Over five years, the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute scientists tripled the amount of the funding from external grants.  The evidence of the clearly operating, highly productive structure of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute has formed a model for effective multidisciplinary research, exposing a national and international need for such structures. As a result, major donors have committed to investing in additional centers at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Our first priority at the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute is education, for on this, the security and future of the state of Israel depend. The future of scientific research in Israel and its high-tech success, is personified by its young people. the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute’s Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology was the first in Israel to award advanced degrees in the field. Following the success of this program, two similar initiatives were recently born at the Hebrew University and at the Tel Aviv University (towards an MSc degree). Graduates of the Norman Seiden Graduate Program, equipped with a unique multidisciplinary education, will have a dramatic impact on research in industry and academia.  

The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, a powerful Israeli nano center, is also an international magnet. The Institute hosts winter schools, which bring together world-renowned researchers with graduate students from Technion and other Israeli universities. In addition, the Nevet research program is actively supporting international collaboration between Technion and scientists from Israel, Germany, Singapore and others.

In response to a rising need, RBNI has taken a new initiative to develop the field of NanoMed. Major donors have already committed to invest in this scientifically fascinating center to nurture active collaborations between Technion’s nano scientists and its stellar researchers in life sciences. Breakthrough research focused on identifying and curing cancer and kidney-related diseases are already underway. Much of Technion research into NanoMed opens the promise of a revolution in new medical treatments and world health-care. Research projects such as the “Electronic Nose” – detecting cancer via breath analysis – give a glimpse of the miracles nanoscience can perform when combined with life sciences and applied to medical research.

The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute is also nurturing other innovative multidisciplinary drives, such as the Technion’s courageous move into energy research, environmental research and security. Examples include the photovoltaic cells project; sensors for monitoring water quality; and research into the identification of toxic air-borne chemicals.

The combination of world-class Nano infrastructure with exclusive expertise, means Technion is a first port of call for industry. Approximately 120 research groups from industry have used this equipment over the past five years, in addition to dozens of academic groups.  

A Message from Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie

Leave a comment

Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie


Where once there were separate faculties and individual research scientists or groups, today Technion is home to a dynamic multidisciplinary community, where science and technology are daily being recreated across the thresholds of former limitations. Of course, in a country the size of Israel, the intense and highly prolific activity at RBNI rapidly gained a status of national importance, as the institute became the nerve center of Israel’s flourishing nano community.

In the past five years, 111 projects were launched in cooperation with industry and through RBNI’s active role in the government MAGNET consortia. By 2009, 104 patent applications were made with a myriad of success stories leading to the transfer of intellectual property rights to multinational companies or to hot Israeli start-up firms.

But first and foremost, Technion is a university committed to education. The need for an excellent program to bring students the highest skills and knowledge today, is paramount to being at the frontiers of nano-industry, education and research tomorrow. The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology was the first of its kind in Israel to grant advanced degrees in nanoscience and nanotechnology. As a result of its success, two similar programs have now been launched at other universities in Israel.

In addition to its top graduate program, RBNI uses its powerful research base to widen its circles of influence in Israel and beyond. The Winter Schools gather world-class international researchers with hundreds of students. The 58 “Nevet” research projects involve in-depth collaborations between Technion and scientists in Europe, Asia and other institutes in Israel. These collaborations generate joint workshops, joint funding of research projects, and vital student exchange.

With each semester RBNI expands. To date thirteen dynamic new faculty members have been recruited from the world’s top universities. Eight infrastructure centers were established or upgraded; 43 research labs, and five student labs were modernized and reequipped.

These key facilities are put to work with wisdom and vision, serving not only projects from across the Technion faculties, but also dozens of research groups from other universities and from industry.

Indeed, the birth of RBNI initiated a cultural transformation at Technion City. Whether in the Calatrava Obelisk signaling technological marvel and scientific discovery at the heart of campus, or in the stateliness of the Russell Berrie Promenade, or in the many upgrades and new laboratories creating academic synergy on campus, it is a transformation underway that no visitor – young or old – could miss.

The transformative impact of RBNI has been a direct result of the wisdom, vision and application of its leadership. Considering the vast sea of potential and promise that each new nano-scale discovery reveals, clear foresight and  organization are critical for progress. At present, RBNI has targeted three key focus areas for nano research: tissue engineering, photovoltaic cells (at the key junction of energy research and nanoscience), and NanoMed – which is creating and empowering the incredible medical potential found in the synergy of RBNI researchers with the excellent scientists at the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering.

I congratulate RBNI and its leadership on the successful formulation of one of Israel’s most dynamic and transformational structures for scientific and technological progress. I look forward to overseeing and witnessing the ramifications of RBNI in the discoveries, collaborations, applications, start-ups, and excellent students of the future.

Israeli Flag on the Moon

Leave a comment
“This meeting is yet another landmark in the continuing ASRI support of the SpaceIL ambitious dream to put an Israeli flag on the moon.”
Team Space IL
Team SpaceIL – aiming to put an Israeli flag on the moon by the end of 2012



Team Space IL is a nonprofit organization and the only Israeli group competing in the Google Lunar X PRIZE. The goal of the team is to make an important contribution to Israel’s space program and to promote scientific education among Israeli youth by creating interest in science and space. The team hopes to donate profits, if earned, to educational purposes.


The team was established by Yariv Bash, Kfir Damari and Yonatan Winetraub, and has received encouragement from the Chairman of the Israeli Space Agency and sparked interest within industrial and academic circles such as the Israeli Aerospace Industry, Elbit Systems, Aeronautics, Plasan, as well as the Asher Space Research Institute at the Technion (ASRI), Tel-Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University, the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, the Ramon Foundation, the Israeli Nano-Satellite Association and others.


The group is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “put the Israeli flag on the moon.”  They aim to “build a small space robot that will make the long journey from the earth to the moon” with an additional goal of promoting technological education in Israel.


The trio, all engineers and computer programmers, aims to send a small box the size of a Coca-Cola bottle into space.  The box – which will hold the robot – will be put on a commercial launcher which will be sent into orbit.  At that point, the goal will be to pilot the capsule to the moon.  According to Bash, the majority of the space will be taken up by the gas tank, not the robot itself, which is only supposed to last one or two months at the maximum.


Winetraub says that in 2012, people should look at the moon with a high-powered telescope because there will be an Israeli flag flying on the surface.



Present at the meeting were ASRI Head Prof. Ehud Behar, Prof. Pini Gurfil, Dr. Alex Kapulkin, and PhD candidate Igal Kronhaus as well as Mr. Nehemia Miller and Dr. David Mishne from Rafael.


“Together, ASRI and our Rafael collaborators, are offering the knowledge and skills of the nation’s best experts in orbit planning, propulsion, and creative space research to this exciting young team,” said ASRI Director Prof. Ehud Behar, “I believe the combination of their enthusiasm and the professional assistance from Israel’s world renown space industry and from us might eventually make their dream come true.”


Norman R. Augustine at ASRI

Leave a comment

Prof. Norman R. Augustine

“On behalf of ASRI and the Technion, I must say we were honored to host Prof. Augustine, who has been one of the most influential figures in the U.S. aerospace industry for the past few decades”

ASRI Head Prof. Ehud Behar.

Norman Augustine
Prof. Norman R. Augustine
.
On the 1st February, 2011, one of America’s great players in space research and a keen promoter of raising the standards of national education Prof. Norman R. Augustine toured some of the exciting projects happening at the Technion Asher Space Research Institute. During his visit, Augustine met with Prof. Ehud Behar, Head of ASRI; Prof. Pini Gurfil, Head of the Distributed Space Systems Laboratory; Distinguished Prof. Daniel Weihs, Head of the Technion Autonomous Systems Program, Prof. Alon Gany, Head of the Fine Rocket Propulsion Center. Augustine had attended the The 6th Ilan Ramon International Space Conference and was accompanied by Assaf Agmon – Director of the Fisher Institute.


Prof. Augustine retired as chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin and was recently chair of a committee responsible for dramatically changing the priorities of the U.S. human space flight program.

“Particularly on the occasion of the space conference commemorating Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, it made for a unique experience to hear from the pioneers of human space flight about the dilemmas associated with flying humans to space in the evolving era of autonomous robotics,” says ASRI Head Prof. Ehud Behar. “Moreover, it was gratifying to receive the moral reinforcements from a distinguished business man on the importance of university education and academic excellence in science and technology, which is  exactly what we at Technion are striving to achieve.


How did Augustine find the experience of ASRI? His answer is succinct: “I can’t think of a better way to have spent the day.” 
 The Distributed Space Systems Laboratory

With Prof. Alon Gany,,,
… at the Fine Rocket Propulsion Center.

Technion Researchers Develop Revolutionary Electric Rocket Engine for Small Satellites

Leave a comment

“CAMILA” – the revolutionary Hall thruster developed by the Asher Space Research Institute at the Technion.
Researchers from the Technion’s Asher Space Research Institute have developed a revolutionary electric rocket engine for small satellites called “CAMILA” (Co-axial Magneto-Isolated Longitudinal Anode). This engine belongs to a group called Hall thrusters, which are increasingly being used in satellites. The Technion has registered a patent on this development, which has already been presented at two international conferences and has aroused great interest. The engine’s working principle is based on ionizing (extracting electrons from atoms) of fuel (xenon gas) and accelerating it in electric and magnetic fields towards the exhaust.
 
The Technion’s Asher Space Research Institute has established a special laboratory for electric propulsion, which deals with developing these engines.
 
Dr. Alexander Kapulkin of the Asher Space Research Institute invented the innovative engine. Dr. Kapulkin was a Ph D-student of Prof. Alexei Morozov from the Atomic Energy Institute in Moscow, who was one of the developing fathers of the electric rocket engine in the world. Dr. Kapulkin is the former head of the Physics and Engineering Laboratory and professor in the Aerospace Engineering Faculty at the University of Dnipropetrovsk in the Ukraine. He repatriated to Israel in 1999 and joined the Technion in 2000 as a senior researcher.
 
The researchers explain that in a regular rocket engine (chemical fuel engine) gas exhaust speed does not exceed 4-5 kilometers per second, while the speed range of gas exhaust in an electric rocket engine is greater. This speed depends on the satellite mission and there is an “optimal exhaust gas speed.” Today, the optimal speed of the electric rocket engine in most satellites is some 20 kilometers per second. The resulting high speed in these engines enables decreasing the amount of fuel needed to carry out space missions and therefore the satellite mass, and eventually to reduce launch cost. Most satellites launched today are small satellites which require for their operation a small electric rocket engine with a low supply like the ones developed at the Technion.
 
In the engine developed at the Technion, there are three special changes that do not exist in other Hall thrusters:
  1. The anode configuration is changed significantly. With the regular Hall thruster, the anode work area is perpendicular to the engine axis. In the CAMILA, it is parallel.
  2. Fuel supply (xenon gas) is not carried directly through the anode but through a special gas distributor which is isolated from contact with the anode.
  3. In Hall thrusters existing today, the magnetic field is closer to the radial form (perpendicular to the engine axis) but in CAMILA the magnetic field has a special, much more complex configuration. In the area of ion acceleration (engine exit) the magnetic field is radial and on the other side, which is within the anode (ionization area) – the magnetic field is parallel to the engine axis.
These significant changes prevent ion loss into the engine walls, thus increasing engine efficiency.
 
Because of the changes made to the Hall thruster by the Technion researchers, fuel consumption is less and this enables more efficient use of the Hall thrusters in satellites. The Hall thruster developed at the Technion is intended, first and foremost, for the Israeli satellite industry.