Cleantech

Cleantech is a rapidly evolving field encompassing a diverse range of products, services, and processes, all intended to provide performance at least as good as current technologies while improving environmental impact and increasing sustainability. BINA researchers in nano-cleantech lead state-of-the-art knowledge, materials, and methodologies on alternative energy production, climate change, water pollution, and "green" chemistry, forming the core for numerous promising industrial collaborations.

  • Bio-films
  • Carbon electrodes
  • Capture and Sequestration of CO2 from the Ocean Sea
  • Carbon-based fuels
  • Multinary materials in solar cells
  • Machine learning
  • Plasmonic-based sensors for water contamination detection

Researchers

  • What are the true horizons for Lithium-Ion Batteries that can promote and advance the electro-mobility revolution in the 21-st century?

    We develop the most energetic, high capacity cathodes for Li ion batteries, most suitable for use in electric vehicles. We focus on developments and modifications by cation (Al3+, Zr4+, Mo4+) and anion (F-) doping and surface coatings (Al2O3, AlF3, ZrO2) of materials for positive electrodes (cathodes) of two promising families of lithiated transition metals oxides: Li & Mn-rich xLi2MnO3·(1−x) Li[NiaCobMnc]O2 (x<1, a+b+c=1) and Ni-rich LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2 (x→1) materials respectively. Our group has extensively worked on the above issues during the last 8 years, aiming at understanding:

    A.  How does the surface modification of Li & Mn-rich compounds can change the activation process during charging?

    B.  Capacity and voltage fading during cycling and stabilization mechanisms of the above important cathode materials.

    Intrinsic properties of Ni-rich materials, like poor electronic conductivity, thermodynamic instability in charged state etc.

  • Prof. Ehud Banin

    BINA Director
    972-3-531-7288

    Prof. Ehud Banin

    BINA Director
    972-3-531-7288

    The Biofilm Research Laboratory

    TEM micrographs of S. aureus (cyan) treated with the synthesized nano-particles (yellow). The nano particles target bacteria and mark them for destruction.

    • Bacterial biofilms
    • Nanoparticles with anti-biofilm properties
    • Bacterial virulence
    • Bio-ethanol production

  • Nanochemistry

    Ultrafine and Stable Fluorescent N@C-dots: A-0h; B-24h

    Developing new methods (sonochemistry, microwave dielectric heating, sonoelectrochemistry, and RAPET) for the fabrication of nano materials.
    • Developing nano materials for various applications

  • Biomaterials and Advanced Materials group

    Research in my group has been focused on revealing and explaining the fundamental interactions that underlie inorganic material formation in nature, a process known as biomineralization. We particularly make use of our expertise in solid-state NMR spectroscopy to analyze the rudimentary processes of biogenic material formation in atomic/molecular level. Unveiling the structure/activity relations in these specialized biomolecules involved in regulation of solid biomaterial formation has been particularly elusive. Using these findings, we develop new biomaterials for hard tissue applications based on rationale guidelines. We implement NMR characterization in materials research to understand interfaces between nanomaterials at great detail and employ molecular insights to design concept materials that are more environment friendly.

  • Synthesis of 1D & 2D nanostructures

     

    Sample of nanomaterials synthesized in the Nessim lab.

     

    • Synthesis of carbon nanotubes and understanding of growth mechanisms
    • Synthesis of 2D nanocarbons (graphene, GO, rGO)
    • Synthesis of 2D metal / sulfidesphosphides - selenides
    • Application of synthesized nanostructures to batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, heterojunctions, sensors

  • Light-matter interaction at the nanoscale

    Large-scale nonporous metallic network is belong to a unique class of light materials with photocatalytic and optical properties which we develop in my lab.

     

    The overall goal of my laboratory is to develop, fabricate and to use plasmonic systems as a ‘photonic environment’, or even as a ‘photonic catalyst’. In general, we aim at opening new routes for photochemical processes/reactions on surfaces by controlling the electromagnetic-field properties at the metal surface, that is, to do, 'chemistry with plasmons'.

  • Phase transitions on the nano-scale

    • Spintronics
    • New Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) materials
    • Organic/SC hybrid
  • The current research focuses on the investigation of the chemical synthesis of materials to promote renewable and green energies

    Synthetic design of Pt nanoparticles in carbon nanotubes resistant to corrosion in extreme conditions

    • Photovoltaics and energy storage (batteries and capacitors)
    • Inorganic synthesis of semi-conductors, metals and oxides
    • Magnetic properties of materials
    • Nanostructures: from individual nanoparticles to functional materials