256 innovations from Bar-Ilan University, available for licensing, co-investment, or spin-out through BIRAD.
Lindell Yehuda
Impersonation Detection
Cohen Cyrille
In this invention, we have identified several genes that are part of the glucose metabolism that when expressed in primary human lymphocytes, enhance T-cell function
Strelniker Yakov
It is shown that when approaching the percolation threshold of a superconductor-insulator metamaterial, the critical temperature Tc can be significantly increased up to near-room temperature. This is due to the appearance of a negative permittivity near criticality. This yields electrons to experience attraction instead of repulsion, which leads the formation of Cooper electron pairs and, consequently, to superconductivity. The negative permittivity is found theoretically in the metal-dielectric superconducting metamaterial using the symmetric self-consistent effective medium approximation (SEMA) together with the Drude model of metal conductivity in the quasistatic limit. This negative permittivity value is substituted into the formula for the critical temperature, derived by the well accepted Ginzburg-Kirzhnits-Pashitskii theory which describes superconductivity in terms of permittivity where the concept of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) has been employed. All analytical evaluations are exact within the framework of SEMA. We also provide a qualitative physical explanation for this theoretical prediction.
Qvit Nir
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a key role in a variety of critical processes and in many human diseases including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and are therefore highly relevant potential therapeutic targets. Peptides have emerged as a promising approach to targeting PPIs, as they demonstrate more rapid clearance than antibodies and higher specificity than small molecules. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as one of the main pathogenic mechanisms underlying an increasing number of diseases, including CVDs. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial GTPase plays a crucial role in mitochondrial homeostasis. Drp1 was demonstrated to interact with Fission protein 1 (Fis1) leading to excessive fission, resulting in mitochondrial damage. To further determine the significance of Drp1/Fis1 PPI significant in mitochondrial quality and function, we: (1) Developed a library of peptides and macrocycles, and identified CVP-350 and CVP-354, that target Drp1/Fis1 PPI; (2) Demonstrated that the peptides are specific to Drp1/Fis1 PPI; and (3) Shown that CVP-350 and CVP-354, are cardioprotective in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, our findings suggest that CVP-350 and CVP-354 might be promising leads for the treatment of diseases with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Qvit Nir
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a key role in a variety of critical biological processes and are involved in many human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), making them attractive therapeutic targets. Peptides have emerged as a promising strategy for targeting PPIs due to their higher specificity compared to small molecules and more rapid clearance than antibodies. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as a major pathogenic mechanism underlying numerous diseases, including CVDs. Optic atrophy 1 (Opa1), a mitochondrial dynamin-like GTPase, and PTEN-induced kinase 1 (Pink1) are central regulators of mitochondrial quality control and homeostasis. Dysregulation of the Opa1/Pink1 interaction pathway has been associated with impaired mitochondrial function and cellular damage. To further investigate the significance of Opa1/Pink1 PPI in mitochondrial quality and function, we: (1) developed a library of peptides and identified CVP-026, which targets the Opa1/Pink1 PPI; (2) demonstrated that the peptide is selective for the Opa1/Pink1 interaction; and (3) showed that CVP-026 exerts cardioprotective effects in cardiomyocytes and (4) demonstrated protective effects in myocardial infarction (MI) animal models. Taken together, our findings suggest that CVP-026 may represent a promising lead compound for the treatment of diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Tischler Yaakov Raphael
We previously introduced a method and device for significantly enhancing the resolution of Raman spectroscopy measurements by using angle tuning of a Fabry-Perot (F-P) etalon in the beam path of a standard grating-based dispersive Raman spectrometer. Building on this innovation, we propose a novel configuration where Raman filters are placed after the F-P etalon. This configuration allows the F-P etalon to interact with both the coherent laser line and the excited Raman signal, enabling simultaneous measurement of the laser's spectral peak position and linewidth along with the stimulated Raman peak. By leveraging this dual measurement, we achieve simultaneous super-spectral-resolution of the Raman peak and the laser's spectral position, leading to an enhanced-resolution and determination of the absolute Raman peak shift, with both the laser and Raman peaks being super-resolved simultaneously. The method relies on computationally reconstructing the peak positions and linewidths of both the laser excitation and Raman scattering by comparing their angle-dependent intensity spectra to a physical model. The reconstruction provides ultra-high resolution for the linewidths and positions of both laser and Raman peaks in the same measurement, which can be achieved either by using a wide-enough range dispersive grating or by separately measuring the reflected or scattered laser signal with a photodetector. When analyzing a substance with a known Raman spectrum, this dual-measurement approach enables highly precise scattering spectroscopy using much more compact instrumentation. By combining the angle-dependent spectra from the Fabry-Perot etalon with a physical model, this method offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution for high-resolution spectral analysis, making it particularly advantageous for applications requiring compact and efficient setups. When analyzing a substance with a known single Raman peak, this dual-measurement approach enables highly precise scattering spectroscopy using just a pair of photodetectors, effectively eliminating the need for a full spectrometer. By combining the angle-dependent spectra from the Fabry-Perot etalon with a physical model, this method offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution for high-resolution spectral analysis, making it particularly advantageous for applications requiring super-compact and efficient setups.
Ozana, Nisan
In this patent, we present a novel new method to optically measure blood flow changes and acoustic signals using a rolling shutter camera combined with either an interferometric system or a coded mask. The interferometric system generates a fringe pattern. By calculating the correlation between rows captured by the rolling shutter camera, we are able to extract blood flow signals from deep tissue as well as acoustic vibrations at a high sampling rate, enabled by the rolling shutter mechanism. Furthermore, the interferometric system significantly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing us to measure the autocorrelation function, g₁, using a camera instead of single-photon detectors. The coded Barker-based mask allows us to further increase the SNR of the cross-correlation between rows by applying a spatial code and utilizing the entire camera field of view.
Amir Weiss
The growing prevalence of large-scale sensor networks calls for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation methods that operate under stringent communication constraints. In this discovery, we show that DOA can be reliably inferred when each remote sensor conveys only extremum indices of its observations, requiring just a few bits. Using these indices, the fusion center computes a steered-response-power-like criterion, whose maximizer is a consistent DOA estimator. Simulations reveal that our method approaches the accuracy of a theoretical rate-distortion-based benchmark while requiring dramatically fewer bits than conventional compression followed by classical DOA methods.
Kalisky Beena
The present invention relates to methods and systems for locally inducing superconductivity in a solid-state material by applying a mechanical stimulus. In particular, superconductivity is activated in selected regions of a material that is non-superconducting or weakly superconducting in its initial state, through direct physical contact (stress) applied in a controlled manner. The induced superconducting state is spatially confined to the contacted regions and can be patterned with high spatial resolution, enabling the “writing” of superconducting structures such as lines, points, or arbitrary geometries. The strength and extent of the induced superconductivity depend on parameters, including the magnitude and duration of the applied mechanical stress. In this work, the method is demonstrated in trigonal PtBi2, where localized mechanical contact results in the emergence of type-II superconductivity accompanied by vortex formation. This opens the way for similar capabilities in other material systems.
Asaf Albo
This invention relates to a novel method for low-temperature epitaxial growth of high-quality aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD). The process enables the deposition of epitaxial AlN films on GaN substrates emplates at just 300 °C, without requiring additional in situ plasma treatments or post-deposition annealing, which are typically needed to enhance film crystallinity but may damage underlying structures. The resulting AlN films exhibit excellent crystalline quality—validated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy—maintaining epitaxial alignment throughout thicknesses up to 70 nm. This simplified, low-thermal-budget process enables integration of III-nitride semiconductors with thermally sensitive platforms like silicon, thereby advancing the manufacturing of next-generation optoelectronic and high-power electronic devices.
Garini Yuval
Analyzing stained tissue sections is of major importance for pathological diagnostics, and it forms a bottleneck in various clinical procedures, including cancer detection. Although there are now systems that can scan whole biopsies, they only measure color (RGB data) that provides limited information for reliable and accurate analysis. We invented a new modality for cancer analysis that is based on rapid spectral imaging measurement of whole biopsy, followed by adequate analysis. The spectral information at each pixel of the image is valuable and it allows to perform accurate analysis by using adequate algorithms. Using the system, we also identified the spectra of normal and cancerous cells from a lymph node sample of breast cancer biopsy. Using this information, we developed an algorithm that allows to identify cancer cells with high sensitivity and specificity. The method combines hardware for rapid scan of biopsies followed by specific way for detecting cancer from the measured spectral images.
Salomon Adi
The META-SERS-NET substrates described herein provide a versatile, scalable, and highly sensitive platform for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) detection of a wide range of organic and inorganic analytes in aqueous environments. Owing to their three-dimensional nanostructured architecture, broad electromagnetic enhancement, negligible background, and compatibility with lightweight machine-learning (ML) models, these metasurfaces are suitable for multiple commercial and industrial applications, including but not limited to: Environmental Monitoring and Water Quality Control META-SERS-NET substrates are designed for rapid, label-free detection of organic contaminants (e.g., dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) and inorganic ions (e.g., Li⁺, Mg²⁺, B⁺, Na⁺) directly in water. The high enhancement factor, combined with the ability to detect analytes at concentrations down to 10⁻⁹ M, enables: Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M Online and offline monitoring of drinking water quality. Surveillance of industrial effluents, wastewater treatment plants, and surface waters. Early detection of persistent organic pollutants and heavy-metal–related species when coupled with appropriate ion-selective polymers. Portable and Field-Deployable Sensing Devices The META-SERS-NET architecture maintains strong SERS performance even when used with low-NA optics (e.g., NA = 0.15), which are typical in portable and handheld Raman instruments. Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M This optical tolerance enables: Integration into handheld Raman probes for in-field environmental monitoring. Compact sensors for on-site industrial process control, pipeline monitoring, and spill detection. Low-cost, battery-operated point-of-use devices for municipalities, utilities, and emergency response teams. Industrial Process Control and Quality Assurance The reproducible enhancement and negligible substrate background of META-SERS-NET allow robust quantification of analytes across several orders of magnitude in concentration. Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M This makes the platform suitable for: Real-time tracking of dyes, intermediates, and by-products in chemical and pharmaceutical production. Quality control in manufacturing processes requiring precise monitoring of residual contaminants. Inline or at-line sensors for continuous verification of feedstocks, solvents, and process streams. Food and Beverage Safety By enabling sensitive detection of trace dyes, adulterants, and ionic species, META-SERS-NET can be incorporated into: Screening tools for contaminants in beverages and liquid food matrices (e.g., juices, dairy, brewing lines). Rapid verification of cleaning and sanitation processes via detection of residual chemicals in rinse water. Biomedical and Clinical Research Tools (Non-diagnostic Use) In research settings, META-SERS-NET can serve as a high-performance SERS platform for: Studying drug–polymer and ion–polymer interactions using the polymer-assisted detection mode. Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M Investigating model bio-relevant ions and small molecules in simulated physiological media. Serving as a robust reference substrate for SERS method development in analytical and bioanalytical laboratories. AI-Augmented Analytical Platforms The integration of the metasurface with a dedicated machine-learning spectral reconstruction module provides enhanced peak separation, noise suppression, and analyte classification. Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M This joint optical–computational architecture enables: Automated, high-accuracy detection and quantification of multiple analytes in complex mixtures. Cloud-connected or on-device AI-SERS platforms for routine monitoring tasks operated by non-experts. “Smart” SERS instruments that self-calibrate using the internal Si reference and adapt to device-specific spectral distortions. Calibration Standards and Reference Substrates Due to their ligand-free, additive-free fabrication and high reproducibility over large areas, META-SERS-NET substrates can function as: Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M Standard SERS reference substrates for instrument calibration and inter-laboratory comparisons. Internal standards in commercial Raman instruments, ensuring consistent performance across devices and over time. Long-Lifetime, Low-Maintenance Sensing Modules The metasurfaces exhibit lifetimes of at least one year under standard storage and operating conditions and demonstrate efficient heat dissipation and stability at low excitation powers. Salomon_SERS_Spec_V3-M This durability supports: Long-term deployment in remote or difficult-to-access locations. Low-maintenance sensor cartridges for subscription-based monitoring services. Replacement-ready “plug-and-measure” chips that can be exchanged in field devices without complex recalibration.
