A major gift from the Adelson Family Foundation will establish Israel's first dedicated research center for smart materials development at Bar-Ilan University, a press release announced today. The new Adelson Institute for Smart Materials aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial applications in fields ranging from medicine to energy storage.
The institute will unite researchers from diverse disciplines, including artificial intelligence, medicine, engineering, chemistry, and life sciences to develop advanced materials with practical applications. According to university officials, the center will focus on rapidly transforming scientific concepts into marketable products.
"We are gratified to partner with Bar-Ilan University in maintaining and expanding Israel's status as a force for scientific advancement in the fields of energy and health care through the groundbreaking launch of the Adelson Institute for Smart Materials," Dr. Miriam Adelson, co-founder of the Adelson Family Foundation with her late husband, the businessman and philanthropist Sheldon Adelson, said.
Bar-Ilan University President Professor Arie Zaban expressed gratitude for the contribution, emphasizing its importance to Israel's scientific and technological resilience. The university aims to position Israel at the forefront of global innovation in smart materials research and strengthen connections between academia and industry.
"Through the Adelson Institute for Smart Materials, Bar-Ilan University aims to strengthen ties between academia and industry, promote technological advancement, and bridge the gaps between academic research and practical solutions. Bar-Ilan University strives to position the State of Israel at the forefront of global innovation in the field of smart materials, making a significant contribution to the worldwide advancement of science and technology," Zaban said.
The institute will provide advanced chemical capabilities to both academic researchers and industrial partners, with a particular focus on accelerating development in medical treatments, display technologies, and next-generation energy storage solutions. It will also actively seek new partnerships through open calls for proposals to facilitate collaborations both within Israel and internationally.
Jessica Feldan, CEO of American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, highlighted the university's capacity to scale research for practical applications, noting that the new institute will bring together "Israel's best minds" to work collaboratively on innovative solutions. "Bar-Ilan University is precisely the Israeli institution where internationally renowned research and capabilities can be reproduced for large-scale application, and where Israel's best minds can come together to work collaboratively on innovative solutions. We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the Adelson Family Foundation in enabling the university and its American supporters to play a direct role in impacting tomorrow, today," she said.
Disclosure: Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of "Israel Hayom." The Adelson family is the owner of the company that holds shares in "Israel Hayom."
