| troduction | | | | faster and more versatile options for |
| The Hebrew University’s Center for | | | | telecomunication. |
| Nanoscience and Nanotechnology takes an | | | | Through the efforts and resources of Yissum, |
| interdisciplinary approach to meet the challenges | | | | Hebrew University’s active Technology |
| of this new and exciting field. Bringing together | | | | Transfer Services organization, a number of |
| researchers from a number of departments, the | | | | these projects in nanotechnology are already on |
| Center begins with a unit for nanoscopic | | | | the path toward commercial success. A |
| characterization to “see,” identify, | | | | composite thin film composed of sol-gels with |
| and describe the nanometric structure the | | | | metals and nano-particles is at a stage where it is |
| researchers have created. The Center intends to | | | | ready for testing as an anti-corrosion coating for |
| construct a unit for nanofabrication where | | | | the automotive industry and a non-viral delivery |
| nanometric structures will be built. | | | | method for gene therapy is ready for testing for |
| Materials that have been shrunk to a nanoscale | | | | various applications. |
| often display very different properties from the | | | | Selected Researchers |
| corresponding materials in a normal macroscale, | | | | Almost 30 researchers currently lead and develop |
| and this enables unique applications. For example, | | | | cutting-edge projects for the Center. Cooperation |
| opaque substances can become transparent, inert | | | | between these multidisciplinary scientists enables |
| materials sometimes develop into catalysts or | | | | development of a true understanding of the |
| suddenly become combustible, solids might turn | | | | environment in which the 1-100 nanometer |
| into liquids at room temperature, and insulators like | | | | objects created by the researchers exist and |
| silicon can be transformed into conductors. Much | | | | operate. |
| of the current allure of nanotechnology has been | | | | The Center’s researchers are drawn |
| generated from the unique phenomena that | | | | from across the scientific spectrum at this |
| certain materials exhibit at the nanoscale. | | | | Technology Transfer University. |
| The techniques developed in the last few years | | | | • Department of physical chemistry: |
| have made it possible to assemble tiny molecules | | | | Danny Porath and Uri Banin are studying DNA |
| into almost any structure. These methods are | | | | nanoelectronics and nanoparticles in a variety of |
| now being used today to create an amazing | | | | applications, respectively. |
| variety of useful chemicals, like pharmaceuticals | | | | • Department of inorganic chemistry: |
| and commercial polymers. | | | | Daniel Mandler and Shlomo Yitzchaik are involved |
| Wide-Ranging Nano-Applications | | | | in the production of sol-gel and ultra-thin films. |
| The Hebrew University’s unique | | | | • Faculty of medicine: Dan Gazit is working |
| interdisciplinary approach leads to research that | | | | on nanotechnology-based skeletal tissue |
| has applications in a number of industries: | | | | engineering and gene therapy. |
| • Semiconductors. Work is being carried | | | | Marketing and legal professionals from Yissum |
| out on nanostructured semiconductors, | | | | work together with all of the Center’s |
| superconductors, and composite materials. | | | | researchers to “transfer” the |
| • Medicine. Systems are under | | | | technology from the laboratory to the market. |
| development that trap single cells to study and | | | | It appears that as our view of the world |
| quantify them down to the molecular level. | | | | becomes more and more global, science needs to |
| • Telecommunications. Research is being | | | | focus on smaller and smaller matters to prepare |
| carried out in nanophotonics and on optofluidic | | | | us for the future. |
| components and devices to provide smaller, | | | | |