Yissum, the Technology Transfer Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is launching a 1 million U.S. dollar program to support the development of outstanding cleantech inventions by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The launch will take place on December 25th at the Givat Ram campus of Hebrew University and feature a keynote address from Yehuda Bronicki, Chairman and CTO of Ormat.
Yissum’s business partners include companies such as Novartis, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Intel, Teva and many more. “We are pleased to launch Yissum’s Cleantech Programme, in response to the growing need for alternative energy solutions, novel technologies to combat water shortage and cleaner technologies to protect the environment,” said Nava Swersky Sofer, President and CEO of Yissum.
“We hope that this initiative will assist in bridging the gap between the Hebrew University’s cutting-edge research in these fields and the product-based industry, leading eventually to the commercialization of new “green” technologies for the benefit of us all.”
Initially, five novel technologies were chosen, three of which aim to reduce the polluting effects of toxic substances and create alternative, clean, energy sources. These inventions involve the generation of clean fuel, detoxification of gasses emitted by burning fossil fuels and detecting toxic chemicals.
Burning fossil fuels for the generation of energy is the major cause of air pollution and global warming. The consumption rate of oil, gas and coal is estimated as the equivalent of 200 million barrels of oil per day, and approximately one million people die annually due to air pollution resulting from fossil fuel burning. Furthermore, fossil fuels are a diminishing energy source and their limited supply has a far-reaching political and social impact.
In an overwhelming world of online social networks a new Israeli/Environmental network has emerged called “
Dear Green Prophet folks,
Green events are filling our social calendars this week – first there’s the 
As far as air pollution and carbon emissions go, transportation is usually a pretty major offender. Ranging from airplane transportation (which is the worst) to your run-of-the-mill daily transport via automobiles, transportation has a big negative impact on the environment and is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult habits to change since it’s so integral to people’s everyday routines.
