The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology has announced that it will found a nanotechnology research institute with donations totaling $88 million. $52 million of this sum has already been guaranteed: the New Jersey-based Russell Berrie Foundation has donated $26 million, and, urged by Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Dr. Eli Opper, the government has added $26 million.
The Technion will raise an additional $26 million over the next five years from donors who are members of Technion friendship societies around the world. Prof. Uri Sivan, one of the world’s best-known nanotechnology researchers, will head the new center, which will be one of the largest in the world.
”The Technion’s status as a major world leader in this field significantly influenced our decision,” said Russel Berrie Foundation president Angelica Berrie, who visited Israel for the announcement of the center. “Existing developments in nanotechnology can offer hope to people around the world, and suit our missions support in activities that can significantly and positively influence the lives of others.”
Nanotechnology scientists use building blocks measured in nanometers objects with a maximum thickness of one hundred thousandth of a hair. Nanotechnology is already responsible for development of many products, including medical diagnostic equipment and new light sources, which have extensive commercial and military applications.
Possible future nanotechnology applications include smaller and faster computers that those currently in existence; lightweight materials many times stronger than steel; nanotechnology robots that can travel in the human bloodstream and treat diseases; and materials that can filter microbes, viruses, and toxins from water.
Over 50 Technion groups, with 200 research students and 50 post-doctoral students, are carrying out pioneering work in nano-science and nanotechnology in interdisciplinary contexts, including biotechnology, communications, aerospace, and materials engineering. Their work is likely to lead to development of technology that will make it possible to develop nano-computers that build themselves, effective treatments for serious diseases, and new means of combating terrorism.
Technion president Yitzhak Apeloig said that the current donation by the Russel Berrie Foundation, together with other donations, would enable the Technion to recruit top-level researchers from around the world, expand its research and teaching infrastructure, and continue acquiring the state-of-the-art equipment it needed. The donations will also pay for research grants.
”The Technion is a hotbed of cutting-edge developments in nanotechnology, partly because we are highly interdisciplinary in our research and teaching,” said Technion President Yitzhak Apeloig. “This was exemplified by our two Nobel winners this year, who are members of the Faculty of Medicine but received the prize in chemistry. Our nanotechnology researchers span disciplines from physics and engineering to chemistry, biology and medicine.”
”We’re extremely honored to have the Russell Berrie Foundation and the Government of Israel recognize the Technion’s important role in the world of nanotechnology research,” added American Technion Society president Dr. Stephen A. Laser. “This gift will advance the amazing breakthroughs in this futuristic science and will ensure the Technion’s place at the forefront of nanotechnology in Israel and the world.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 6, 2005