Science and technology in Israel: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Israeli contributions to science and technology have been significant. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, Israel has pioneered work in science and engineering, compensating a small national budget with creativity and imagination. Israeli scienctists have contributed in the areas of genetics, medicine, agriculture, computer sciences, electronics, optics, engineering and other high-tech industries.

Note: this article is about the exact sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.

Israeli science is particularly well known for its military technology, from simple submachine guns like the Uzi, ranging to advanced anti-ballistic defence systems - like the Arrow. Moreover, Israel is among the small group of nations in the world that have the capability to launch satellites into orbit (the others include the USA, Russia, France, the UK, the People's Republic of China, Japan, and India).

As a dry land, Israel has pioneered in advanced agricultural technology such as water-conserving irrigation methods, salinity research, enriched compost, and enhanced genetic engineered crops. Dry lands which have peace with Israel have received aid from and/or collaborated with Israeli experts in order to improve desert agriculture and produce more food. Israel has a world-wide reputation in this area.

Israel also has a high reputation in theoretical physics. Israeli physicsts tend to deal more with theoretical and conceptual aspects of physics, a specialy in questions of time and space, and the paradoxes and strange phenomena of quantum mechanics.

Israel is also known for its well-developed and revolutionary medicine. Israel medical researchers and surgeons have worldwide reputation, in searching for new cures as well in high technology and reliability. Recently, a group of researchers from the Weizmann Institute developed a molecular bio-computer that may help cure cancer.

Scientific Institutions

• The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
• Technion, Haifa
• Tel Aviv University
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
• Bar-Ilan University
• Vulcani Agricultural Institute, Rishon LeZion.
• Weizmann Institute, Rehovot

• Civilian
  • Amadox
  • Checkpoint
  • Chromatis
  • El-Op
  • Teva - medicines company
  • Netafim - computerized drip irrigation, etc.
  • M-Systems - Leader in flash memory storage
  • Zend Technologies - Web infrastructure software, invators of PHP programming language.
• Security\military\governmental
  • Elbit
  • El-Op
  • IAI - Israeli Aerial industry
  • IMI - Israeli Military industry (TAAS)
  • Rafael - The Authority for weapons development
  • Soltam - military products and armor

Computer Science & Mathematics

• Eli Biham - differential cryptanalysis
• Aviv Boshinski and Amir Ban - developers of Deep Junior chess program.
• lt Adolf Abraham Halevi Fraenkel - mathematics ; developed the Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms.
• Abraham Lempel & Jacob Ziv - LZW compression; Richard W. Hamming Medal (1995).
• Ilya Piatetski-Shapiro - representation theory; Wolf Prize in Mathematics (1990).
• Amir Pnueli - temporal logic; Turing Award (1996) recipient.
• Michael Rabin - nondeterminism, primality testing; Turing Award (1976)
• Eliyahu Rips - algebra and the controversial Bible codes.
• Adi Shamir - RSA, differential cryptanalysis; Turing Award (2002)
• Saharon Shelah - logic; Wolf Prize in Mathematics (2001)
• Ehud Shapiro - DNA computing pioneer
• Avi Wigderson - randomized algorithms; Nevanlinna Prize (1994)
• Doron Zeilberger - combinatorics

Physics & Chemistry

• Yakir Aharonov - the Aharonov-Bohm effect; Wolf Prize in Physics (1998)
• Jacob Bekenstein - physics , black hole thermodynamics
• David Deutsch - quantum computing pioneer
• Joshua Jortner & Rafi Levine - molecular energy; Wolf Prize in Chemistry (1988)
• lt Aaron Katzir - physics, philosophy.
• Mordehai Milgrom - Condensed Matter Physics , cosmology, dark matter and Galaxy dynamics.
• Yuval Ne'eman - the "eightfold way"
• Giulio Racah - spectroscopy
• Joel Rokach - physics.
• Dan Shechtman - discovered quasicrystals; Wolf Prize in Physics (1999)
• Lev Vaidman - physics, quantum mechanics.
• Chaim Weizmann - acetone production

Biology & Medicine

• Israel Aharoni - discovered the Syrian hamster
• Arie Eldad - physician, medicine; Evans Award recipent for treating burns.
• Moshe Feldenkrais - the Feldenkrais Method
• Prof. Israel Hanukoglu (Molecular biology) - Science and Technology Adviser to the Prime Minister (1996-1999).
• Avram Hershko & Aaron Ciechanover - ubiquitin system; Lasker Award (2000), Wolf Prize in Medicine (2001)
• Doron Lancet - microbiology.
• Leo Sachs - blood cell research; Wolf Prize in Medicine (1980)
• Michael Sela & Ruth Arnon - developed Copaxone; Wolf Prize in Medicine (1998)
• Meir Wilchek - affinity chromatography; Wolf Prize in Medicine (1987)
• Amotz Zahavi - the Handicap Principle

Other

• SN Eisenstadt - sociology: multiple modernities
• Eliyahu Goldratt - business management: theory of constraints
• Gavriel Iddan - engineer: inventor of capsule endoscopy
• Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky - behavioural science: prospect theory; Nobel Prize in Economics (2002)
• Yeshaiyaho Leibobich - biochemistry, philosophy, theology.
• Ilan Ramon - astronaut: NASA flight STS-107

• Economy of Israel