Three Israelis - two researchers and one corporate entity - are among the 50 most outstanding global leaders in science and technology, according to the prestigious journal, Scientific American. The roster of the "Scientific American 50" for 2004 has just been published.
Professor Ehud Shapiro of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot was named Research Leader in the field of Nanotechnology and Molecular Electronics by Scientific American. He received the recognition for the creation of biomolecular computing devices. So small that more than a trillion fit into one drop of water, these devices are made entirely of DNA and other biological molecules. Shapiro and his research team envision future biomolecular devices that may be injected directly into the human body to detect and prevent or cure disease.
The recognition accorded Prof. Shapiro's work by Scientific American comes on the heels of other prestigious awards for him and his team. Last month, Prof. Shapiro received the 2004 World Technology Award for Biotechnology. Yaakov Benenson, Shapiro's graduate student who had a key role in creating the biomolecular computers, received a 100 Top Young Innovators Award in September from MIT's Technology Review Magazine.
Chemistry Professor Micha Asscher of Jerusalem's Hebrew University was recognized by Scientific American as Research Leader in the field of Manufacturing for having demonstrated, as the journal put it, "how to grow nanostructures of nearly anything on anything else."
In May, Prof. Asscher and his colleagues revealed a way to lay down a pattern of almost any substance on any other for novel nanometer scale devices. Scientific American reported, "The researchers say their method could make conducting wires less than 30 nanometers wide, yet millimeters long."
Earning recognition as a Business Leader for Imaging in the "Scientific American 50" was the Camero company of Herzliya, Israel. Camero has announced in June that it is developing a unique, portable imaging micro-power radar, which will enable rescue forces to operate more effectively in saving lives. The company's proprietary technology generates a 3D image of objects concealed by solid barriers such as walls or collapsed debris, from a distance of up to 20 meters.
The "Scientific American 50" appears in the magazine's December issue, at newsstands November 23. The complete list may also be accessed from November 8 at www.sciam.com.
Professor Ehud Shapiro of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot was named Research Leader in the field of Nanotechnology and Molecular Electronics by Scientific American. He received the recognition for the creation of biomolecular computing devices. So small that more than a trillion fit into one drop of water, these devices are made entirely of DNA and other biological molecules. Shapiro and his research team envision future biomolecular devices that may be injected directly into the human body to detect and prevent or cure disease.
The recognition accorded Prof. Shapiro's work by Scientific American comes on the heels of other prestigious awards for him and his team. Last month, Prof. Shapiro received the 2004 World Technology Award for Biotechnology. Yaakov Benenson, Shapiro's graduate student who had a key role in creating the biomolecular computers, received a 100 Top Young Innovators Award in September from MIT's Technology Review Magazine.
Chemistry Professor Micha Asscher of Jerusalem's Hebrew University was recognized by Scientific American as Research Leader in the field of Manufacturing for having demonstrated, as the journal put it, "how to grow nanostructures of nearly anything on anything else."
In May, Prof. Asscher and his colleagues revealed a way to lay down a pattern of almost any substance on any other for novel nanometer scale devices. Scientific American reported, "The researchers say their method could make conducting wires less than 30 nanometers wide, yet millimeters long."
Earning recognition as a Business Leader for Imaging in the "Scientific American 50" was the Camero company of Herzliya, Israel. Camero has announced in June that it is developing a unique, portable imaging micro-power radar, which will enable rescue forces to operate more effectively in saving lives. The company's proprietary technology generates a 3D image of objects concealed by solid barriers such as walls or collapsed debris, from a distance of up to 20 meters.
The "Scientific American 50" appears in the magazine's December issue, at newsstands November 23. The complete list may also be accessed from November 8 at www.sciam.com.