BrightSource signs research agreements with Hebrew University

Yissum Research Development Company, the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced this week that it has signed two research agreements with BrightSource Industries Israel (BSII) for the development of new materials for solar thermal power plants.

Under the agreement, BrightSource will fund research in the laboratories of Professors Daniel Mandler, and Shlomo Magdassi, both from the Institute of Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This research collaboration is based on the know-how of Yissum and BSII.

In addition to payment of research fees, BSII will compensate Yissum upon the successful implementation of the technology in its solar power plants. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The new materials may be integrated in the solar thermal power plant technology developed by BSII and implemented in new utility-scale power plants worldwide.

The BSII technology generates electric power from solar energy by using a field of mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a boiler mounted atop a central tower (LPT Luz Power Tower), where water is converted to superheated steam that drives a turbine generator.

"Solar energy is definitely the most important, yet underutilized, clean energy source. Israel has always been a leading player in the solar energy field, and the Hebrew University is proud to collaborate with BrightSource Industries Israel in increasing the efficiency of solar thermal power plants," said Yaacov Michlin, CEO of Yissum.

Yoel Gilon, Senior Vice President of BSII, said, "BSII's partnership with Yissum will leverage the academic and research excellence of the Hebrew University to develop cutting-edge new technologies for clean, cost-effective solar thermal power plants. The excellent level of cooperation among Yissum, the university researchers and BSII will be of great value to all the parties involved."

BSII, formerly known as Luz II, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oakland, California-based BrightSource Energy. BSII provides product development and engineering services, and supplies the solar fields, including heliostats, solar boilers, and control systems for all of BrightSource Energy's projects.

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Hebrew U.'s Yissum launches cleantech program

Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is launching a $1 million program to support the development of cleantech inventions by scientists at the University.

"We are pleased to launch Yissum's Cleantech Programme, in response to the growing need for alternative energy solutions, novel technologies to combat water shortage and cleaner technologies to protect the environment," said Nava Swersky Sofer, President and CEO of Yissum. "We hope that this initiative will assist in bridging the gap between the Hebrew University's cutting-edge research in these fields and the product-based industry, leading eventually to the commercialization of new 'green' technologies for the benefit of us all."

Initially, five novel technologies were chosen, three of which aim to reduce the polluting effects of toxic substances and create alternative, clean, energy sources. These inventions involve the generation of clean fuel, detoxification of gasses emitted by burning fossil fuels and detecting toxic chemicals.

Prof. Yoel Sasson, from the Hebrew University's Institute of Chemistry, and his team invented a novel method for the effective clearing of poisonous mercury from gases emitted into the atmosphere by coal-fired power plants.

Professors Aharon J. Agranat, Chairman of the Department of Applied Physics, and Shimshon Belkin, from the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, invented a novel device enabling the simultaneous monitoring of an array of biological sensors designed to detect toxic substances.

Prof. Uri Banin, from the Institute of Chemistry and the Harvey M. Krueger Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, invented a novel family of photocatalysts based on new nanomaterials. Photocatalysis is the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst and provides a way to harness solar energy for useful chemical work.

More information about these projects is available in the official press release from Yissum.

Previous Yissum "success stories" include water technology companies Leafsen, En Gibton, and TreaTec21 Industries.

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Hebrew University to invest in cleantech projects

Sources inform ''Globes'' that Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, will allocate all proceeds from the exit of any portfolio company to cleantech ventures. Yissum is responsible for marketing the inventions and know-how generated by the University's renowned researchers and students.

Yissum does not disclose its budget, but reportedly had $40 million revenue in 2006, including $30 million in royalties and $10 million from research agreements, which accrues to Hebrew University. The university then allocated 10-15% of this revenue back to Yissum. Allocations to cleantech projects will amount to several million shekels, constituting a hefty proportion of the company's total budget.

The sources added that a number of entities, including investment institutions and an agency of a foreign government, are interested in investing in Yissum cleantech projects. However, it is still unclear how the parties will share the investment.