Scientific Research

Using Glycerol and its Derivatives as Sustainable Solvents for Chemical Reactions / Prof. Adi Wolfson and Prof. Dorit Tavor, Chemical Engineering Department

Glycerol is a non-toxic, biodegradable organic liquid that is made of natural and renewable sources as a byproduct of the production process of biological bio-diesel. This research focuses on using glycerol and its derivatives as alternative, environmentally friendly solvents for chemical reactions. This innovative research was published in leading scientific journals and established a new path in the field of environmentally friendly solvents for chemical reactions. In 2012, Professor Wolfson and Professor Tavor received an international award for innovation (Glycerin Innovation Research Award) by the American Oil Chemists' Society.

Sustainable Services / Prof. Adi Worlfson and Prof. Dorit Tavor, Chemical Engineering Department

The services sector is the largest sector in developed countries. Sustainable services are services in which the supplier and customer work together to promote environmental protection. In such instances the customer is essentially transformed into a sustainability supplier for the benefit of future generations. These services are based on intelligent resource management and an effort to minimize harm to the environment, and may offer an alternative to other production processes. In 2011, Professor Wolfson and Professor Tavor, along with Professor Shlomo Mark (Software Engineering), received an international award from IBM in the area of smart city management – "Sustainability and the City".

Developing Methods for Treating Toxic Organic Waste, Heavy Metals and Radioactive Metals in Sewage Using Sol-Gel Processes / Prof. Ariela Burg

Increasing industrial developments lead to the contamination of water and land sources, as a result of the presence of toxic organic materials, heavy metals and radioactive materials. Additionally, great efforts have been placed on searching for alternative energy sources, the main source being atomic energy. Heavy metals and radioactive metals are very rare and costly, and efforts must be made to recycle these materials in addition to treating them. Sol-gel based methods are developed in Prof. Ariela Burg's laboratory with the goal of recycling these ions and treating organic contaminants through catalysis and electro catalysis.