Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will showcase the Hebrew University’s breakthroughs in the field of advanced materials and nanotechnologies in its Innovations in Advanced Materials conference, to be held on March 29, at the Hebrew University Faculty of Science, Edmond J. Safra campus.
The past year marks a year of impressive achievements for Yissum in the commercialization of nanotechnology research preformed at the Hebrew University.86 patents applications were filed, 29 patents were approved and 16 licensing agreements were signed. Especially notable is the record number of eight new startup companies that were established during 2015, based on research performed by scientists at the Hebrew University’s Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
The companies are: NanoAF, a developer of coating materials that prevent bacterial contamination; Neteera Technologies, which is developing a remote sensing technology of various human biological indicators based on sweat ducts; OphRx, which develops products based on a novel drug delivery technology platform for ocular uses; Neoprol, which develops new formulations for anesthesia drugs; Mercu-Removal, which develops novel processes for efficient mercury removal form gas streams; TrioxNano, which is developing a nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery system; BioNanoSim, which manufactures nano-based delivery systems for the production of polymeric biodegradable nanoparticles; and Voyager Medical, which is developing advanced self-absorbing surgical sutures.
Yissum CEO Yaacov Michlin said, “2015 was an excellent year in terms of the business activities and commercialization of nanotechnologies originating from the Hebrew University. Especially notable is the acquisition of Qlight Nanotech by Merck KGaA. Qlight, which is based on Prof. Uri Banin’s research, develops products based on semiconductor nano-crystals for use in flat panel displays and efficient LED lighting. We are very proud that Qlight’s staff remained at the company’s site located at the Edmond J. Safra Campus of the Hebrew University, which now functions as Merck’s research center for quantum-materials for the display and lighting industry. This is an excellent example of Yissum’s vision, of translating academic innovation to novel products while creating employment opportunities in Jerusalem and Israel.
“Outstanding research in the areas of nanotechnology and advanced materials is performed at the Hebrew University. In order to support the commercialization activities in the field, and following the investment opportunities we’ve already created in biotechnology through Integra Holdings, and in agriculture through Agrinnovation, we are now investing efforts to establish a new fund that will support promising nanotech and advanced materials projects.”
One of the technologies that will be presented at the conference is an invention for the conversion of plastic waste into valuable industrial products. Current technologies for plastic oxidation and degradation are expensive, complicated and also generate large amounts of toxic by-products. Prof. Yoel Sasson and Dr. Uri Stoin from the Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, invented a new and effective oxidation process for plastic waste degradation.
Prof. Yossi Paltiel, Chair of the Applied Physics Department and part of the School of Computer Science and Engineering, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, will show a novel technology invented in collaboration with Prof. Shlomo Magdassi, from the Institute of Chemistry. He will present a method for inkjet printing of tunable and fixable hybrid nanocrystal/carbon nanotube sensors. The novel method enables fabrication of low-cost detectors that operate at room temperature, and can be printed onto large areas as well as on flexible substrates, such as buildings or cars, and used for a variety of purposes, such as monitoring dark conditions or detecting radiation.
Yissum has patented both of thesetechnologies and is now seekingcommercial partners for theirfurther development.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 22, 2016
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016