Israel approves consortia for environmental tech, smart diamonds, material testing

JERUSALEM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) on Sunday approved three applied research consortia with a total budget of about 180 million shekels (55.2 million U.S. dollars) over the next three years.

The consortia will focus on environmental technologies, diamond-based semiconductors, and advanced materials testing. According to the IIA, they aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies, enhance Israeli industry, and support long-term economic growth and resilience.

The first consortium, called Green Soil, will develop biological methods to clean polluted soil and groundwater. The second consortium will focus on using diamond as a novel material for semiconductors and optical components. The third consortium will develop advanced non-destructive testing technologies for advanced materials such as composite ceramics and 3D-printed metals.

Each consortium will unite leading Israeli and international companies with top Israeli universities and research institutes, the IIA said in a statement.

Among the companies taking part are Nvidia, state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, Israeli defense electronics firm Elbit Systems, synthetic diamonds firm Element Six, and Netafim, the inventor of drip irrigation technology, among others, the statement said.

The IIA said the three consortia demonstrate Israel's ability to combine science, industry, and long-term vision to build the next generation of technologies that improve lives and strengthen the economy. ■