Shenkar College: Producing Clean Energy

Shenkar College of Engineering and Design and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem hold a joint patent on a theory to produce clean electrical energy using solar radiation.

Until now, capturing solar radiation with photoelectric cell panels had only limited efficiency. But the theory the two schools have patented promises to produce higher efficiency conversion of solar energy to electricity. This is important for Israel, which is a major player in the field of microelectronics and has a desert climate. Once the patented technique is perfected, solar cells could be distributed throughout the country.

The college, located in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, was founded in 1970 with the primary purpose of studying textiles and fashions. Its mission was later revamped in collaboration with Israeli industry so that it is now “a leading academic institution in the areas of engineering and design,” according to its president, Professor Amotz Weinberg.

Shenkar is the first Israeli academic institution to operate a wireless campus that permits students with laptop computers to communicate with others and access the Internet and the college’s network. Shenkar is also the only academic institution in Israel to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in plastics engineering. It is also engaged in research in the plastics and polymer industries, with special emphasis on the use of nanotechnology. The objective of the research is to improve existing plastics with respect to such things as fire resistance.

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Westchester Jewish Conference

Westchester’s Jewish Community Relations Organization