Solar Fuels

Israel Solar Fuels Consortium

 

Participating Researchers and Institutions

 

The group selected to establish this I-CORE is a group under the scientific management of Prof. Gideon Grader of the Technion, consisting of researchers from the Technion, Weizmann Institute of Science and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
During the first two years of operation the Center absorbed new additional researchers, who returned to Israel from Harvard University, Berkeley University and the Juelich Research Center.

 

Scientific Director:
 

• Prof. Gideon Grader, Chemical Engineering, Technion
   

Scientific Management Members:
 

• Prof. Gideon Grader, Chemical Engineering, Technion
• Prof. Edward Bayer, Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Sammy Boussiba, French Association Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University
• Prof. Mordechay Herskowitz, Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University
• Prof. Avraham Levy, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Avner Rothschild, Material Engineering, Technion
   

Additional I-CORE Members:
 

• Prof. Noam Adir, Chemistry, Technion
• Dr. Asaph Aharoni, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Dr. Simon Barak, French Association Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University
• Prof. Naama Barkai, Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Ezra Bar-Ziv, Electrooptics, Ben-Gurion Unviersity
• Prof. Oded Beja, Biology, Technion
• Prof. Avihai Danon, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Gad Galili, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Shimon Gepstein, Biology, Technion
• Prof. Miron Landay, Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University
• Dr. Naftali Lazarovitch, French Association Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University
• Dr. Taleb Mokari, Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University
• Prof. Ronny Neumann, Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Dr. Dror Noy, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Yaron Paz, Chemical Engineering, Technion
• Prof Moshe Sagi, French Association Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University
• Prof. Avigdor Scherz, Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
• Prof. Gadi Schuster, Biology, Technion
• Prof. Moshe Sheintuch, Chemical Engineering, Technion
• Prof. Yuval Shoham, Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion
• Prof. Ira Weinstock, Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University
   

New Faculty:

2011-12:

• Dr. Maya Bar-Sadan, Ben-Gurion University, returning from Juelich Research Center
• Dr. Lilac Amirav, Technion, returning from Berkeley University

2012-13:

• Dr. Ilana Kolodkin, will return to Weizmann institute from Harvard

 

Research Focus

 

The Center of Excellence in Renewable and Sustainable Energy will conduct research on fuel production through the use of sunlight, focusing on fuel production from plants (such as algae and various agricultural growths), breaking down water to generate hydrogen, and breaking down carbon dioxide for the production of fuels. The Center will provide an unparalleled opportunity to advance this field on a national scale, through fruitful cooperation among institutions, and to leverage the research in Israel and abroad.  

 

The subject of alternative fuels is an incomparably important issue especially in light of the global energy situation. Especially worrisome is the situation regarding oil reserves - oil is perishable and large reserves are found in Israel’s neighbors in the Middle East, many of which are hostile.   

 

While there are sufficient coal reserves to generate electricity, obviously the world cannot depend exclusively on coal, or there will be a major environmental problem. A project such as this is of crucial significance, especially to Israel. Helping to find solutions at the global level and reduce the world’s dependence on oil, will have a very positive impact on Israel’s security and status, whether or not those solutions are implemented in Israel itself.

 

Research in this field in Israel is still in its preliminary stages, but it has tremendous potential to lead to significant breakthroughs in specific directions - something that the I-CORE will facilitate. This Center of  Excellence is an important step towards the development of alternative fuels and reducing global dependence on oil.

 

A key component of the I-CORE will be the establishment of central laboratories to bolster intramural synergies and promote team endeavors across Israel. This research cluster will contribute to the development of patents and commercial ventures in various spheres. The I-CORE will also expand cooperation with partners in the United States and consortia led by the European Union.

 

For the I-CORE website press here