Newsroom – Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University

Can Bats Think Ahead of Time?

Written by Hilary on 25 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers discover that bats have episodic memory and plan ahead

Researchers at Tel Aviv University tracked free-ranging Egyptian fruit bats from a colony based in the TAU’s I. Meier Segals Garden for Zoological Research to answer a long-standing scientific question: Do animals have high and complex cognitive abilities, previously attributed only to humans? In particular, the study focused on the traits of episodic memory, mental time travel, planning ahead, and delayed gratification, arriving at highly thought-provoking conclusions.

The study was led by Prof. Yossi Yovel and Dr. Lee Harten from the School of Zoology and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University. Other researchers included: Xing Chen, Adi Rachum, Michal Handel, and Aya Goldstein from the School of Zoology, Lior de Marcas from the Sagol School of Neuroscience, and Maya Fenigstein Levi and Shira Rosencwaig from the National Public Health Laboratory of Israel’s Ministry of Health. The paper was published in Current Biology.

Prof. Yossi Yovel.

Prof. Yovel: “For many years the cognitive abilities to recall personal experiences (episodic memory) and plan ahead were considered exclusive to humans. But more and more studies have suggested that various animals also possess such capabilities. Still, nearly all of these studies were conducted under laboratory conditions, since field studies on these issues are difficult to perform. Attempting to test these abilities in wild animals, we designed a unique experiment relying on the colony of free-ranging fruit bats based in TAU’s I. Meier Segals Garden for Zoological Research”.

How Bats Keep Track of Food Resources

The researchers assumed that bats depending on fruit trees for their survival would need to develop an ability to track the availability of food both spatially (where are the fruit trees?) and over time (when does each tree give fruit?). Navigating through landscapes with numerous fruit and nectar trees, they would need to mentally track the resources in order to revisit them at the appropriate time. To test this hypothesis, a tiny high-resolution GPS tracker was attached to each bat, enabling the documentation of flight routes and trees visited for many months. The vast data collected in this way were thoroughly analyzed, producing some amazing results.

The first research question was: Do bats form a time map in their minds? To explore this issue, the researchers prevented the bats from leaving the colony for varying periods of time, from one day to a week. Dr. Harten: “We wanted to see whether the bats could tell that time had elapsed and behave accordingly. We found that after one day of captivity, the bats would return to trees visited on the previous night. However, when a whole week had gone by, the older bats, based on past experience, avoided trees that had stopped bearing fruit in the interval. In other words: they were able to estimate how much time had passed since their last visit to each tree and knew which trees bore fruit for a short time and were no longer worth visiting. Young, inexperienced bats were unable to do this, indicating that this is an acquired skill that must be learned”.

While the first research question looked at past experiences, the second dealt with the future: Do the bats exhibit future-oriented behaviors? Are they capable of planning ahead? To address this issue the researchers observed each bat’s route to the first tree of the evening, possibly indicative of plans made before leaving the colony. Chen Xing: “We found that usually the bats fly directly to a specific tree they know, sometimes 20 or 30 minutes away. Being hungry, they fly faster when that tree is further away, suggesting they plan where they are heading.

Moreover, focused on their chosen target, they will pass by other trees, even good sources visited just yesterday – indicating a capacity for delayed gratification. We also found that the first bats to leave the colony choose trees bearing fruits rich in sugar, while the bats that leave later seek proteins.” All these findings suggest that the bats plan their foraging before they leave the colony, and know exactly where they are flying and what kind of nourishment they are looking for.

Rethinking Intelligence in Animals

Prof. Yovel: “The cognitive gap between humans and animals is one of the most fascinating issues in science. Our study demonstrates that fruit bats are capable of quite a complex decision-making process involving the three questions indicative of cognitive abilities: Where? (each tree’s location); When? (when the tree bears fruit); and What? (the nourishment it provides – sugar vs. proteins). Once again we find that the gap is not cleat-cut, and that humans are not as unique as some might think. Apparently, humans and animals are all located on a spectrum, with almost any human ability found in animals as well”.

Next-Level Drone Detection Could Enhance Airspace Protection

Written by Hilary on 22 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU research introduces smart tagging to identify and track drones in extreme weather conditions

A new development by researchers at the Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University will help identify small drones in challenging scenarios, such as urban environments, low flight altitudes, and extreme weather conditions, enhancing the protection of airspaces via smart tagging. The research team notes that drone identification is generally conducted using radars, cameras, and transponders, with the latter providing real-time updates on location in civilian contexts. However, these methods can fail in harsh conditions, including limited line of sight, multiple air traffic participants, and tall buildings blocking satellite signals, among other challenges.

The researchers highlight that this new technology can overcome these challenges and provide a superior level of reliability by using smart stickers and a radar supported by an AI algorithm that classifies drones based on the electromagnetic radiation they scatter.

The development was led by Ph.D. students Omer Tzidki and Dmytro Vovchuk from Prof. Pavel Ginzburg’s lab, the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering. The lab specializes in developing novel radar and wireless communication technologies, facing new and forthcoming challenges.

Detecting Drones Beyond Sight

Omer Tzidki points out that the problem of identifying the drones is especially critical when there is no direct line of sight, for example when the drone is hidden behind a cloud, in fog, or hard to see due to adverse weather conditions. In these situations, cameras alone are insufficient, and the use of radar becomes necessary.

With this new development, identification is carried out through an electromagnetic representation of the drone’s “identity card”. This allows the radar to distinguish between drones with different IDs by using electromagnetic tagging on the drone’s wings. The AI algorithm, which relies on a neural network, classifies the drone as either friendly or hostile and operates successfully even in varying harsh conditions while minimizing the risk of accidents. Initial experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions in a sterile environment, followed by trials in an external setting to simulate real-world scenarios.

Prof. Pavel Ginzburg: “The simplest things often work best. This project leverages fundamental physical principles to reliably and accurately classify drones. The process of identifying any drone using radar is quite complex, so achieving the capability to identify specific drones is a significant accomplishment of which we are very proud”.

Omer Tzidki emphasizes that the combination of electromagnetic techniques, AI algorithms, and innovative radar technology yields optimal results. “Mapping the airfield is critical for protecting the lives of soldiers and civilians. This project is important at all times and especially crucial now”, he said.

How Close Are We to Thought-Based Communication?

Written by Hilary on 22 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

Researchers achieve success in allowing a patient to “speak” using only the power of thought

A scientific breakthrough by researchers from Tel Aviv University and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital) has demonstrated the potential for speech by a silent person using the power of thought only. In an experiment, a silent participant imagined saying one of two syllables. Depth electrodes implanted in his brain transmitted the electrical signals to a computer, which then vocalized the syllables.

The study was led by Dr. Ariel Tankus of Tel Aviv University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital), along with Dr. Ido Strauss of Tel Aviv University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences and director of the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at Ichilov Hospital. The results of this groundbreaking study were published in the prestigious journal Neurosurgery, the official publication of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. These findings offer hope for enabling people who are completely paralyzed — due to conditions such as ALS, brainstem stroke, or brain injury — to regain the ability to speak voluntarily.

Dr. Ariel Tankus of Tel Aviv University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital).

Dr. Ido Strauss of Tel Aviv University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences and director of the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at Ichilov Hospital. Photo credit: Lior Zur, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital).

How Brain Implants Enable Silent Speech

“The patient in the study is an epilepsy patient who was hospitalized to undergo resection of the epileptic focus in his brain”, explains Dr. Tankus. “to do this, of course, you need to locate the focal point, which is the source of the ‘short’ that sends powerful electrical waves through the brain. This situation pertains to a smaller subset of epilepsy patients who do not respond well to medication and require neurosurgical intervention, and an even smaller subset of epilepsy patients whose suspected focus is located deep within the brain, rather than on the surface of the cortex. To identify the exact location, electrodes have to be implanted into deep structures of their brains. They are then hospitalized, awaiting the next seizure. When a seizure occurs, the electrodes will tell the neurologists and neurosurgeons where the focus is, allowing them to operate precisely. From a scientific perspective, this provides a rare opportunity to get a glimpse into the depths of a living human brain. Fortunately, the epilepsy patient hospitalized at Ichilov agreed to participate in the experiment, which may ultimately help completely paralyzed individuals to express themselves again through artificial speech”.

An image from the experiment of the speech neuroprosthesis (a.k.a speech brain-computer interface). It shows the participant who is completely silent, with his mouth closed, imagining saying a syllable. The laptop “says” the syllable for him.

In the first stage of the experiment, with the depth electrodes already implanted in the patient’s brain, the Tel Aviv University researchers asked him to say two syllables out loud: /a/ and /e/. They recorded the brain activity as he articulated these sounds. Using deep learning and machine learning, the researchers trained artificial intelligence models to identify the specific brain cells whose electrical activity indicated the desire to say /a/ or /e/. Once the computer learned to recognize the pattern of electrical activity associated with these two syllables in the patient’s brain, he was asked only to imagine that he was saying /a/ and /e/. The computer then translated the electrical signals and played the pre-recorded sounds of /a/ or /e/ accordingly.

Decoding the Language of the Brain

“My field of research deals with the encoding and decoding of speech, that is, how individual brain cells participate in the speech process — the production of speech, the hearing of speech, and the imagination of speech, or ‘speaking silently”, says Dr. Tankus. “In this experiment, for the first time in history, we were able to connect the parts of speech to the activity of individual cells from the regions of the brain from which we recorded. This allowed us to distinguish between the electrical signals that represent the sounds /a/ and /e/. At the moment, our research involves two building blocks of speech, two syllables. Of course, our ambition is to get to complete speech, but even two different syllables can enable a fully paralyzed person to signal ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ For example, in the future, it will be possible to train a computer for an ALS patient in the early stages of the disease, while they can still speak. The computer would learn to recognize the electrical signals in the patient’s brain, enabling it to interpret these signals even after they lose the ability to move their muscles. And that is just one example. Our study is a significant step toward developing a brain-computer interface that can replace the brain’s control pathways for speech production, allowing completely paralyzed individuals to communicate voluntarily with their surroundings once again”.

The study was supported by a grant from the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Will Wearable Tech Transform Neurological Diagnosis?

Written by Hilary on 21 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

New study tracks step length for neurological disease and aging

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Ichilov’s Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center led a multidisciplinary international study in which an innovative model based on machine learning was developed to accurately estimate step length. The new model can be integrated into a wearable device that is attached (with “skin tape”) to the lower back and enables continuous monitoring of steps in a patient’s everyday life. “Step length is a sensitive measure of a wide range of problems and diseases, from cognitive decline and aging to Parkinson’s. The conventional measuring devices that exist today are stationary and cumbersome and are only found in specialized clinics and laboratories. The model we developed enables accurate measurement in a patient’s natural environment throughout the day, using a wearable sensor”, according to the researchers.

The study was led by Assaf Zadka, a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University; Prof. Jeffrey Hausdorff from the Department of Physical Therapy at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, as well as from the Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC); and Prof. Neta Rabin from the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Fleischman Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University. Also participating in the study were Eran Gazit from TASMC, Prof. Anat Mirelman from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University and TASMC, as well as researchers from Belgium, England, Italy, Holland, and the USA. The research was supported by the Center for AI and Data Science of Tel Aviv University. An article describing the research was published in the journal Digital Medicine.

A person walking in a state-of-the-art gait lab, with a wearable sensor positioned on his lower back. He is walking over a gait mat embedded with force-sensitive sensors. The gait mat provides highly accurate measures of the person’s step length and is used to provide reference values for “training” and testing of the machine learning model described in this study. In the background, specialized motion capture cameras can also be seen. The gait mat and cameras very accurately measure a subject’s walking pattern, over a few steps. However, these tools cannot be used in the real-world, everyday setting. In contrast, the wearable sensor is small, lightweight, and waterproof, can be held in place using skin tape, and can measure step length throughout the day, informing the evaluation of real-world walking and functional abilities.

Can Our Steps Reveal Neurological Health?

Prof. Hausdorff, an expert in the fields of walking, aging, and neurology, explains: “Step length is a very sensitive and non-invasive measure for evaluating a wide variety of conditions and diseases, including aging, deterioration as a result of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and more. Today it is common to measure step length using devices found in specialized laboratories and clinics, which are based on cameras and measuring devices like force-sensitive gait mats. While these tests are accurate, they provide only a snapshot view of a person’s walking that likely does not fully reflect real-world, actual functioning. Daily living walking may be influenced by a patient’s level of fatigue, mood, and medications, for example. Continuous, 24/7 monitoring like that enabled by this new model of step length can capture this real-world walking behavior”.

Smart Sensors for Accurate Steps

Prof. Rabin, an expert in machine learning, adds: “To solve the problem, we sought to harness IMU (inertial measurement unit) systems – light and relatively cheap sensors currently installed in every phone and smart-watch, and measure parameters associated with walking. Previous studies have examined IMU-based wearable devices to assess step length, but these experiments were only performed on healthy subjects without walking difficulties, were based on a small sample size that did not allow for generalization, and the devices themselves were not comfortable to wear and sometimes several sensors were needed. We sought to develop an efficient and convenient solution that would suit people with walking problems, such as the sick and the elderly, and would allow quantifying and collecting data on step length, throughout the day, in an environment familiar to the patient. The goal was to develop an algorithm that is capable of translating the IMU data into an accurate assessment of step length, which can be integrated into a wearable and comfortable device”.

To develop the algorithm, the researchers used IMU sensor-based gait data, in addition to step length data measured conventionally in a previous study, from 472 subjects with different conditions, such as Parkinson’s, people with mild cognitive impairment, healthy elderly subjects, as well as younger, healthy adults and people with multiple sclerosis. An accurate and diverse database consisting of 83,569 steps was collected in this way. The researchers used this data and machine learning methods to train several computer models that translated the IMU data into an estimate of step length. To test the robustness of the models the researchers then determined to what extent the various models could accurately analyze new data that was not used in the training process – an ability known as generalization.

New Model Improves Step Length Precision

Assaf Zadka: “We found that the model called XGBoost is the most accurate, and is 3.5 times more accurate than the most advanced biomechanical model currently used to estimate step length. For a single step, the average error of our model was 6 cm – compared to 21 cm predicted by the conventional model. When we evaluated an average of 10 steps, we arrived at an error of less than 5 cm – a threshold known in the professional literature as ‘the minimum difference that has clinical importance’, which allows identifying a significant improvement or decrease in the subject’s condition. In other words, our model is robust and reliable, and can be used to analyze sensor data from subjects, some with walking difficulties, who were not included in the original training set”.

Prof. Hausdorff concludes: “In our research, we collaborated with researchers in diverse fields around the world, and the multi-disciplinary effort led to promising results. We developed a machine learning model that can be integrated with a wearable and easy-to-use sensor, which gives an accurate estimate of the patient’s step length during daily life. The data collected in this way enables continuous, remote, and long-term monitoring of a patient’s condition, and can also be used in clinical trials to examine the effectiveness of medications. Based on our encouraging results, we are looking into whether it is possible to develop similar models based on data from sensors in smart-watches, which would further improve the comfort of the subject”.

TAU is Going Abroad

Written by Hilary on 21 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

This year, with the largest turnout ever, The Lowy International School once again held an event for upcoming outgoing exchange students. Approximately 140 Tel Aviv University (TAU) undergraduate and graduate students attended as they prepared to study at universities in Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, and elsewhere.

“The exchange program gives TAU students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience another university and another culture, and to get a taste of the international life,” says Galia Netzer Erlichmen, who oversees the exchange program as the Head of Internationalization at Home for TAU. “These students who have signed up to go this year are enthusiastic, and they know it’s a really meaningful opportunity right now.”

Netzer Erlichmen speaks to exchange students about their upcoming adventure.

While the tradition of exchange between TAU and its partner institutions continues, with each TAU student going to one of the more than 50 study destinations available this year, preparations for outgoing exchange has recently necessitated a more unique approach given the global unrest following October 7 and the war. While students were given advice and training related to usual exchange program considerations – like adapting to a new culture – they were also provided with a workshop on conflict management.

“Israel is in a certain position, and we know across the world there are many questions and sometimes severe accusations, so we made it a point of giving our students tools to, as much as possible, deal with these questions,” says Netzer Erlichmen. “Whether they don’t want to answer or whether they want to hold a discussion … we wanted to help them feel comfortable responding.”

At the same time, Netzer Erlichmen emphasized that, should an issue ever arise, the students aren’t alone and have the full support both of TAU’s outgoing exchange office, as well as the institutions they will be attending.

Outgoing exchange students during one of the workshops held on July 9.

“Throughout these tense times, if there’s been a [campus] demonstration that a TAU exchange student has been worried about, there has always been someone directly at that university who has been wiling to check the situation out and provide help,” says Netzer Erlichmen. “Our exchange partners have always been welcoming to our students and we are so glad to have that continued support. These are challenging times and it means so much to us to be able to continue to work with our partners.”

And while the TAU students going on exchange have been prepared slightly differently this year, they are still very excited for what will hopefully be one of the best experiences of their lives.

“Students at TAU have gone through a lot,” reflects Netzer Erlichmen. “On top of all the other benefits an academic exchange opportunity offers, it’s also a chance for our students to get a breather for a bit and really enjoy themselves. They deserve that.”

Interested in going on exchange and joining us in Tel Aviv? Visit our Incoming Exchange Program to learn more. Are you at TAU and want to go abroad for a bit? Learn more about our Outgoing Exchange Program.

How Did Prehistoric Stone Tools Evolve After Elephants Disappeared?

Written by Hilary on 21 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU study identifies tools developed by early humans for butchering fallow deer after elephants disappeared.

A new study from Tel Aviv University identified the earliest appearance worldwide of special stone tools, used 400,000 years ago to process fallow deer. The tools, called Quina scrapers (after the site in France where they were first discovered), were unearthed at the prehistoric sites of Jaljulia and Qesem Cave. They are characterized by a sharp working edge shaped as scales, enabling users to butcher their prey and also process its hides.

The researchers explain that after the elephants disappeared from the region, the ancient hunters were forced to make technological adaptations enabling them to hunt, butcher, and process much smaller and quicker game – fallow deer. The study also found that the unique tools were made of non-local flint procured from the Mountains of Samaria, which probably also served as the fallow deers’ calving area, about 20km east of Jaljulia and Qesem Cave. Consequently, the researchers hypothesize that Mounts Ebal and Gerizim (near Nablus of today) were considered a source of plenty and held sacred by prehistoric hunters as early as the Paleolithic period.

The study was led by Vlad Litov and Prof. Ran Barkai of Tel Aviv University’s Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures. The paper was published in Archaeologies.

Prof. Ran Barkai

The researchers explain that for about a million years, starting 1.5 million years ago, early humans used stone tools called scrapers to process hides and scrape the flesh off the bones of mostly large game. In the Levant, they mainly hunted elephants and other large herbivores that provided most of the calories they needed. The study found, however, that about 400,000 years ago, following the elephants’ disappearance, hunters turned to a different kind of prey, considerably smaller and quicker than elephants – fallow deer.

How Changing Diets Shaped Prehistoric Tools

Litov explains: “In this study, we tried to understand why stone tools changed during prehistoric times, with a focus on a technological change in scrapers in the Lower Paleolithic, about 400,000 years ago. We found a dramatic change in the human diet during this period, probably resulting from a change in the available fauna: the large game, particularly elephants, had disappeared, and humans were forced to hunt smaller animals, especially fallow deer. Clearly, butchering a large elephant is one thing, and processing a much smaller and more delicate fallow deer is quite a different challenge. Systematic processing of numerous fallow deer to compensate for a single elephant was a complex and demanding task that required the development of new implements. Consequently, we see the emergence of the new Quina scrapers, with a better-shaped, sharper, more uniform working edge compared to the simple scrapers used previously”.

A close look at a Quina-like scraper from Jaljulia.

The study relies on findings from an excavation at the Jaljulia prehistoric site next to Highway 6 in central Israel, probably inhabited by humans of the homo erectus species, as well as evidence from the nearby Qesem Cave. At both sites the excavators discovered many scrapers of the new type, made of non-local flint whose nearest sources are the western slopes of Samaria, to the east of the excavated sites, or today’s Ben Shemen Forest to the south.

Prof. Barkai adds: “In this study we identified links between technological developments and changes in the fauna hunted and consumed by early humans. For many years researchers believed that the changes in stone tools resulted from biological and cognitive changes in humans. We demonstrate a double connection, both practical and perceptual. On the one hand, humans started making more sophisticated tools because they had to hunt and butcher smaller, faster, thinner game. On the other, we identify a perceptual connection: Mounts Ebal and Gerizim in Samaria, about 20km east of Jaljulia, were a home range of fallow deer and thus considered a source of plenty. We found a connection between the plentiful source of fallow deer and the source of flint used to butcher them, and we believe that this link held perceptual significance for these prehistoric hunters. They knew where the fallow deer came from and made special efforts to use flint from the same area to make tools for butchering this prey. This behavior is familiar from many other places worldwide and is still widely practiced by native hunter-gatherer communities”.

Samaria’s Sacred Role in Early Tool Evolution

Litov concludes: “We believe that the Mountains of Samaria were sacred to the prehistoric people of Qesem Cave and Jaljulia because that’s where the fallow deer came from. It’s important to note that in Jaljulia we also found numerous other tools made of different kinds of locally-procured stones. When the locals realized that the elephant population was dwindling, they gradually shifted their focus to fallow deer. Identifying the deer’s plentiful source, they began to develop the unique scrapers in the same place. This is the earliest instance of a phenomenon that later spread throughout the world. The new scrapers first appeared at Jaljulia on a small scale, about 500,000 years ago, and a short time later, 400,000 to 200,000 years ago, on a much larger scale at Qesem Cave. The Samarian highlands east of Jaljulia and Qesem Cave were likely the home range of a fallow deer population, as evidenced by bone remains recovered from local archaeological sites throughout the Pleistocene and Holocene. Many fallow deer bones were also found at the altar site on Mount Gerizim, attributed in the Old Testament to Joshua bin Nun, and identified by some traditions as the place of Abraham’s Covenant of the Pieces described in the Book of Genesis. Apparently, the Mountains of Samaria gained a prominent, or even sacred status as early as the Paleolithic period and retained their unique cultural position for hundreds of thousands of years”.

Could Graphene be the Future of Nanoelectronics?

Written by Hilary on 21 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

New study offers a breakthrough development that may facilitate the use of graphene nanoribbons in nanoelectronics

An international collaborative study that features researchers from TAU presents a new method for growing ultra-long and ultra-narrow strips of graphene (a derivative of graphite), which exhibit semiconducting properties that can be harnessed by the nanoelectronics industry. The researchers believe that the development may have many potential technological applications, including advanced switching devices, spintronic devices, and in the future, even quantum computing architectures. The study was conducted under the leadership of an international research team, that included Prof. Michael Urbakh and Prof. Oded Hod from TAU’s School of Chemistry, as well as scientists from China, South Korea, and Japan. The study was published in the scientific journal Nature.

Prof. Michael Urbakh.

Prof. Urbakh and Prof. Hod explain that graphene is a single layer of graphite made of carbon atoms and built similarly to the shape of a beehive. Graphene is very suitable for technological uses. Apart from its extraordinary mechanical strength, additional properties have been discovered in recent years regarding certain structures made of a small number of twisted (laterally rotated with respect to each other) graphene layers. These properties include superconductivity, spontaneous electric polarization, controlled heat conduction, and structural superlubricity – a state in which materials demonstrate negligible friction and wear.

Prof. Oded Hod.

One of the limitations we find for using graphene in the electronics industry is that it is a semi-metal, namely that charge carriers can move freely in it, but their density is very low. Hence, graphene cannot be used either as a conducting metal or as a semiconductor used by the electronic chip industry.

However, if long and thin strips of graphene (termed graphene nanoribbons) are cut out of a wide graphene sheet, the quantum charge carriers become confined within the narrow dimension, which makes them semi-conducting and enables their use in quantum switching devices. As of today, there are several barriers to using graphene nanoribbons in devices, among them is the challenge of reproducibly growing narrow and long sheets isolated from the environment.

Graphene Nanoribbons in Action

In this new study, the researchers were able to develop a method to catalytically grow narrow, long, and reproducible graphene nanoribbons directly within insulating hexagonal boron-nitride stacks, as well as demonstrate peak performance in quantum switching devices based on the newly-grown ribbons. The unique growth mechanism was revealed using advanced molecular dynamics simulation tools developed and implemented by the Israeli teams. These calculations showed that ultra-low friction in certain growth directions within the boron-nitride crystal dictates the reproducibility of the structure of the ribbon, allowing it to grow to unprecedented lengths directly within a clean and isolated environment.

The researchers see the development as a scientific and technological breakthrough in the field of nanomaterials, one which is expected to open the door to a wide range of studies that will lead to their utilization in the nanoelectronics industry.

Prof. Urbakh and Prof. Hod summarize: “The importance of this new development is that for the first time, it is now possible to fabricate carbon-based nanoelectronic switching devices directly within an isolating matrix. These devices will likely have many technological applications, including electronic and spintronic systems, and even quantum computing devices”.

Revolutionary Ideas Take Center Stage at Falling Walls Lab Tel Aviv

Written by Hilary on 14 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

Growing mushrooms from plastic waste, overturning wrongful convictions, building next-gen microscopes, and training a brain-aware chatbot—these are just some of the breakthrough solutions presented at the Falling Walls Lab Tel Aviv competition hosted by Tel Aviv University on July 11.

Falling Walls Lab participants with Michael Linder Zarankin, the Lowy International School (left) and Anne Gladitz, DAAD (right)

The event, organized by the Lowy International School in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), is part of an international series of pitch competitions where participants present their solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges in just three minutes. The winners advance to the global finals in Berlin on November 7, where they will compete for the Breakthrough Winner title in the Emerging Talents category and get to attend the Falling Walls Science Summit to engage with leading figures in science, business, and policy.

Pioneering Minds at Work: Pitch Highlights

Carefully selected participants from various Israeli universities pitched their innovative ideas in fields ranging from cancer research and superconductors to neuroscience, linguistics, and law. The jury, comprised of experts from Tel Aviv University, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Reichman University, and the University of Haifa, evaluated the pitches based on innovation, relevance and potential impact, and presentation performance.

Netanel Loyfer from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem won the competition with his groundbreaking project on cell-free DNA. Loyfer’s innovation involves tracking cell-free DNA fragments in the bloodstream to detect early signs of various diseases.

Netanel Loyfer (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem), the Falling Walls Lab winner

By identifying the signatures of different cell types, his method allows for precision diagnosis using a simple blood test, offering a promising tool for early detection of dangerous diseases. A cancer screening test using this technology is already commercially available in Israel and worldwide.

“We are not the only ones to detect mutations, but we are the only ones who can differentiate the affected organs. Our technology saves lives.”—Netanel Loyfer, the competition winner

Barak Halpern from Tel Aviv University secured second place with his project focusing on sustainable agriculture. He proposed using fungi to convert agricultural waste, including plastic, into useful products, and even growing mushrooms. To demonstrate the viability of the project, Halpern even took a bite of a mushroom!

Gony Rosenman from Tel Aviv University

Third place went to Gony Rosenman from Tel Aviv University for his work on mental health diagnostics. Rosenman’s project integrates fMRI technology with advanced AI to improve the accuracy of psychiatric assessments, aiming to revolutionize mental health care with personalized, data-driven solutions.

“We are talking about a new era with brain-aware chatbots that operate on text alone but retain neuroscientific insight, making the approach practical and cost-effective”—Gony Rosenman

Other notable projects included Rachel Thau-Bedziner’s Validify, which aims to combat disinformation using AI and machine learning, already boasting a 70% accuracy rate in real-time verification. Liron Amihai from Tel Aviv University showcased a computer vision-based platform that helps children with autism practice facial mimicry skills

The jury members (from left to right): Naama Barkai, Weizmann Institute of Science, Ofer Arazy, University of Haifa

Nir Cafri from Tel Aviv University showed an intelligent sleep mask designed to improve sleep quality. Ralfy Kenaz from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem presented Relips, a tool enhancing semiconductor manufacturing. Asaf Cohen from Tel Aviv University introduced an AI-based real-time CPR coach to improve the quality and timeliness of CPR administered outside hospital settings.

Asaf Cohen (Tel Aviv University) presenting the CPR coach

Hadar Abutbul-Oz of Bar Ilan University showcased MultiPath, a digital platform providing language profiles of children to address language gaps early. Mayur Tanna from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem presented a novel approach to inhibit cancer metastasis by studying the chemical processes of migrating cancer cells.

Liora Cohen, University of Haifa, Falling Walls Lab participant

Liora Cohen from the University of Haifa highlighted a project aimed at preventing wrongful convictions through better media literacy and strategic use of communication in legal defenses.

Breaking Walls Between Countries

This is the second year that the Falling Walls Lab has been held at Tel Aviv University. Prof. Milette Shamir, VP of International at TAU, stressed the event’s importance in the current climate of political instability and polarization, especially considering the academic boycotts Israeli universities have faced since October 7.

Falling Walls Lab jury (from left to right): Ofer Arazy (University of Haifa), Milette Shamir (Tel Aviv University), Yair Sakov (Tel Aviv University)

Shamir emphasized that by “recognizing and supporting the innovative minds of young people around the world, Falling Walls inspires hope for overcoming the complex problems that we face today. If there is hope for all of us in this region and globally, it lies in the creative spirit of this new generation of thinkers and doers.”

“The spirit of collaboration across national borders and the commitment to the free exchange of ideas are the underlying principles of the Falling Walls Lab, as even its title implies, the walls that fall down.”—Prof. Milette Shamir

Marco Mattheis, the Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Germany in Israel, echoed this spirit: “Academic exchange between our countries lies at the heart of Israeli-German exchange in general.”

Marco Mattheis, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Germany in Tel Aviv

We will do everything we can to stop the boycott movement because trying to silence all those whose opinion you might not like, or even all voices from an entire country, no matter what their scientific or political opinion is not acceptable.”—Marco Mattheis, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Germany in Tel Aviv

Anne Gladitz (right) with representatives of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Anne Gladitz from the German Academic Exchange Service remarked, “Events like the Falling Walls Lab create hope by insisting on a common world. The presentations give us a glimpse of what a better world could look like.”

Competition participants

The Falling Walls Lab Tel Aviv competition not only highlighted the incredible talent and innovative spirit of early career researchers from various Israeli universities but also underscored the importance of international collaboration. The event serves as a reminder that the future of science and technology depends on fostering creativity, supporting young innovators, and breaking down barriers—both physical and intellectual.

Internships in Israel: Transformative Experience

Written by Hilary on 10 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

From high-tech and venture capital to recovery homes, Israel offers a unique environment for interns to gain hands-on experience in their field of interest. This summer, Tel Aviv University’s Lowy International School welcomed international students for an eight-week internship. Students’ accounts highlight transformative experiences, personal growth, challenges, and valuable lessons.

Mark Leaf, Syracuse University: At the Heart of Technological Innovation

“I chose to intern as a software engineer in Israel because it offered a unique environment where I could work without judgment. Israel, the modern center of technology, startups, and inventions, was the perfect place for my first internship experience, which has been outstanding so far.”

“The team I work with comprises industry professionals, and I learn from their expertise daily.”

“The challenging environment keeps me constantly learning and growing. My initial fear of spending time on meaningless tasks was unfounded. Instead, I’m developing a new software feature, and seeing my work come to life is incredibly rewarding.”

“My voice is heard, my actions are meaningful, and my time is spent wisely.”

“During my internship, I learned how large corporations cooperate and communicate, how workflows are built and maintained for efficiency, how to be agile yet responsible, and how to be a valuable team member. I am grateful to each team member for their friendly approach, mentorship, and guidance.”

Ben Mizrahi, TAU Dual Degree with Columbia University: Embracing Venture Capital in a Time of Change

“Being accepted into the venture capital firm’s Corporate Investments Investor Relations branch has been an unforgettable experience. This internship was unique because it allowed me to contribute to projects partnered with international governments and source international LPs to invest in Israeli startups. This work is particularly significant during such a challenging time for Israel.

Working under the guidance of the Managing Director was an honor, and his professionalism, empathy, and vast industry expertise were genuinely inspiring. My experience was welcoming, professional, dynamic, and meaningful.”

“I learned the importance of having an ever-growing appetite for knowledge and development, the value of hard work and consistency, and the significance of empathy and building genuine relationships.”

“From conversations with the Managing Director to client meetings and investor decks, I understood what being a successful venture capital firm means. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the lessons it has taught me.”

Sarah Kratka, Brandeis University: Nurturing and Responsibility in a Recovery Home

“I work at a recovery home, which is a home for women over the age of 18 with eating disorders. I was placed here because of my interest in nutrition, and as a public health and psychology major, it fit perfectly.

My experience has been very positive although, initially, I struggled with how tough it was to be with the patients and my limited Hebrew skills. The nature of their disease makes them manipulative, even if unintentionally, so I had to put on a solid front. Despite these challenges, I learned to be kind yet firm with them.

I’ve been given many responsibilities, such as cooking and plating meals for the patients. Sometimes, I get pushback, but the experience has been positive overall.”

“I’ve learned the importance of kindness and resilience in a challenging environment.”

“I check medicines and meal plans, personalizing care for each patient. Once I check on personal needs, I prepare individualized meals such as chicken and other nursing food.”

“I get to talk to patients, and join in on different types of therapies, like animal and talk therapy.”

Alex Nunez, University of Central Florida, and Zoe Bayewitz, Maryland University: Gaining Professional Experience in Israel

“The decision to pursue an internship at a professional office in Israel was driven by the desire to gain real-world experience. One of the primary reasons for picking this internship was the opportunity to work in an office environment. This experience has allowed us to navigate office dynamics and enhance specific skills, particularly in graphic design, copyediting, and working with software like Microsoft Excel.

The office culture in Israel is notably more relaxed: this atmosphere, coupled with a highly supportive staff, created an ideal environment for growth and development.”

“For anyone looking to gain professional experience in a supportive and flexible environment, it is highly recommended to seek out an internship in Israel.”

Find out more about TAU’s Summer Internship program here

Text by the Lowy International School’s Marketing Intern, Liyah Rozett

How Does Origami Enhance Bioprinting?

Written by Hilary on 8 July 2024. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers apply the art of origami to advance 3D bioprinting

Researchers at Tel Aviv University relied on principles of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, to develop an original and innovative solution for a problem troubling researchers worldwide: positioning sensors inside 3D-bioprinted tissue models. Instead of bioprinting tissue over the sensors (found to be impracticable) they design and produce an origami-inspired structure that folds around the fabricated tissue, allowing the insertion of sensors into precisely pre-defined locations.

The study was a joint effort of researchers from several units at TAU: the School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Koum Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, the Sagol School of Neuroscience and the Drimmer-Fischler Family Stem Cell Core Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine. The researchers are Noam Rahav, Adi Soffer, Prof. Ben Maoz, Prof. Uri Ashery, Denise Marrero, Emma Glickman, Megane Beldjilali-Labro, Yakey Yaffe, Keshet Tadmor, and Yael Leichtmann-Bardoogo. The paper was published in the leading scientific journal Advanced Science.

The 3D Origami Platform integrated in a 3D printed structure.

Prof. Maoz explains: “The use of 3D-bioprinters to print biological tissue models for research is already widespread. In existing technologies, the printer head moves back and forth, printing layer upon layer of the required tissue. This method, however, has a significant drawback: The tissue cannot be bioprinted over a set of sensors needed to provide information about its inner cells, because in the process of printing the printer head breaks the sensors. We propose a new approach to the complex problem: origami”.

MSOP: Where Art Meets Science in Bioprinting

The innovation is based on an original synergy between science with art. Using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software the researchers design a multi-sensing structure customized for a specific tissue model – inspired by origami paper folding. This structure incorporates various sensors for monitoring the electrical activity or resistance of cells in precisely chosen locations within the tissue. The computer model is used to manufacture a physical structure which is then folded around the bioprinted tissue – so that each sensor is inserted into its predefined position inside the tissue. The TAU team has named their novel platform MSOP – Multi-Sensor Origami Platform.

The new method’s effectiveness was demonstrated on 3D-bioprinted brain tissues, with the inserted sensors recording neuronal electrical activity. The researchers emphasize, however, that the system is both modular and versatile: it can place any number and any type of sensors in any chosen position within any type of 3D-bioprinted tissue model, as well as in tissues grown artificially in the lab such as brain organoids – small spheres of neurons simulating the human brain.

Origami’s Scientific Touch

Prof. Maoz adds: “For experiments with bioprinted brain tissue, we demonstrated an additional advantage of our platform: the option for adding a layer that simulates the natural blood-brain barrier (BBB) – a cell layer protecting the brain from undesirable substances carried in the blood, which unfortunately also blocks certain medications intended for brain diseases. The layer we add consists of human BBB cells, enabling us to measure their electrical resistance which indicates their permeability to various medications”.

The researchers summarize: “In this study, we created an ‘out-of-the-box’ synergy between scientific research and art. We developed a novel method inspired by origami paper folding, enabling the insertion of sensors into precisely predefined locations within 3D-bioprinted tissue models, to detect and record cell activity and communication between cells. This new technology is an important step forward for biological research”.

Can Bats Think Ahead of Time?

TAU researchers discover that bats have episodic memory and plan ahead

Next-Level Drone Detection Could Enhance Airspace Protection