On the other hand
Between now and April there will be an avalanche of election induced material designed to influence and persuade us as to which party is best suited to receive our vote of confidence.
By contrast, we will learn on almost a daily basis which innovations and discoveries have helped to enhance our lives. In other words, actual positive achievements as opposed to extravagant promises.
ISRAEL’S BIGGEST WIND TUNNEL
Strange as it may seem if you thought that this refers to the Knesset you would be wrong.
Wind tunnels are used as tools for performing a wide range of experiments meant to examine the effect the wind has in various situations. For instance, wind tunnels serve as tools for studying the dispersion of various air pollutants, such as gas emissions from smokestacks and cars; for assessing risk of emissions of dangerous substances in public spaces; for examining the effect of natural phenomena such as snow or erosion; and they can also assist in educated urban planning.
The tunnel constructed at the Israel Institute for Biological Research spans three floors in a designated building, which makes it the largest wind tunnel in Israel. The tunnel itself occupies one level of the building and consists of a metal “sleeve” 14 meters long, through which the wind is powered according to the strength, humidity and temperature desired in each experiment. However, this just serves as the “stage” of this complicated device. Behind the scenes is a huge S-shaped system totalling 32 meters in length, spanning the remaining floors of the building, where the wind is generated according to desired specifications.
The end of the tunnel leads to a large cell in which the researchers perform various tests and experiments using unique equipment and technology, most of which does not exist in any other tunnels in Israel. There are just a handful of tunnels worldwide with similar capabilities.
ISRAELI TECHNOLOGY HELPS GATWICK AIRPORT
The recent turmoil and chaos at Gatwick caused by unidentified drones finally came to an end after several days thanks to Israeli innovative technology. Foreign media sources generally ignored the fact that it was Israeli knowhow which came to the rescue. Here are the facts:
The British Army deployed advanced Israeli anti-drone technology after unmanned aerial vehicles caused the UK’s second-busiest airport to completely cease operations for almost 36 hours.
Britain deployed the military and police snipers to combat drones that were identified flying near to Gatwick Airport’s runway, leading to the cancellation of over 800 flights and travel chaos for 120,000 passengers.
Britain became the first customer of Rafael’s anti-drone systems in August when it purchased six Drone Domes, believed to be worth a combined $20m., to protect sensitive military installations and sites on which British armed forces are deployed.
The system has 360-degree circular coverage and is designed to rapidly detect, track and neutralize drones classified as threats. The systems purchased by the British Army are not equipped with a laser-based beam to destroy the drones but are capable of jamming radio frequencies to prevent the drone from being able to move.
Just imagine if BDS supporters had prevailed; Gatwick would still be closed.
ANOTHER DISCOVERY FROM THE PAST
New research by the Israel Antiquities Authority has discovered a unique wick, used to light lamps, dated to the Byzantine period, some 1,500 years ago. Despite its small size, its importance is great both because it has been securely identified as a wick and because precious few such wicks have survived from antiquity.
It seems that this rare find was preserved thanks to the dry climate in the Negev. Oil lamps played a key role in daily life in antiquity, illuminating homes and public buildings after sunset. Lamps made of pottery or glass are often found in archaeological excavations, but to find a wick from ancient times is rare. That is because they are made of organic fibres, which normally disintegrate quickly and disappear into the soil, as well as because they are so small and are usually consumed by fire.
The wick was found in its holder – a small copper tube in which it was inserted when it was lit. A microscopic examination showed that the wick was made of linen, which comes from the flax plant and is known for its use in textiles and clothing as well as for wicks in oil lamps.
TEN YEARS OF IMPROVING LIVES IN AFRICA
Another dramatic example of how Israeli innovative technology and concern for humanity has changed lives for thousands in Africa. From out of Zion shall go forth life-saving assistance:
