The number of research groups dealing with NANO in Israel has increased from 210 to 325 in the last three years

This is according to the report of the National Nanotechnology Project headed by Dan Wilensky

towards The nanotechnology conference The first international in Israel, which will be held in March 2009 in Jerusalem, Dan Wilensky, who heads the INNI project, reports an increase in the number of commercial companies as well: from 45 to 75

The number of research groups dealing with nanotechnology in Israel increased in three years from 210 to 325, according to Dan Wilensky, who heads the national nanotechnology initiative INNI. Wilensky says that during this period the number of commercial companies active in the field even increased - from 45 to 75. The details were provided ahead of the first international nanotechnology conference in Israel, which will be held in March 2009 in Jerusalem.

"Historically, we have an unrepeatable opportunity to take a key position in a completely new industry that within a decade will set the direction for economic growth all over the world. We must not miss such an opportunity," says Wilensky, a serial entrepreneur who has established and managed four high-tech factories in Israel, including the Applied Materials company. "The growth in the industry is extremely impressive, but even more impressive is the quality of work created in Israel. We were also able to attract new forces to the field and direct them to engage in issues of national priority, such as the treatment of sewage and desalination of seawater."

The INNI project, which is shared by the government, academia and industry, was established by the Forum for National Infrastructures for Research and Development (Telem) with the aim of creating a center of excellence for nanotechnologies in Israel. To date, the project has raised a budget of 250 million dollars for five years that is invested in a number of preferred areas in applied research, in the establishment of national infrastructures and in assisting companies entering the nano field. The INNI project also has a contribution in the establishment of scientific infrastructures in the academy, in encouraging academic cooperation between the nanotechnology centers in Israel and in bringing scientists back to Israel.

More articles on this topic on the science website:

• Money is bigger than nano particles
• The Knesset's Science Committee: impose restrictions on research in nanotechnology and genetic engineering