Facts and Success Stories

Þ    All Digital Endoscope: ACMI corp. and CByond developed the All-digital endoscope. This compact endoscope with an integral miniature camera and internal LED illumination was the first in the market.  It offers 7x better resolution versus a traditional fiber optic endoscope and was developed with a grant given by the BIRD Foundation. It is worth mentioning that CByond was later acquired by ACMI.

 

Þ    Semiconductor Process Equipment: The BIRD project between Applied Materials and OrAmir led to the development of laser cleaning systems capable of effectively removing defects from the most demanding applications in the semiconductor area. Following the project, Applied Materials acquired OrAmir.

Þ    3D Imaging for Orthodontics: This development allows orthodontists to optimize the location of brackets by using digital models of the teeth, eliminating the need for plaster model storage and retrieving. The system reduces the treatment time and number of visits required. The technology was developed by Cadent, which originally collaborated with 3M with a grant from the BIRD Foundation.

Þ    Aircraft Enhanced Vision System (EVS): The combined project between Kollsman and Opgal funded by the BIRD Foundation produced the EVS camera which is designed to provide day/night improved orientation during taxiing or flying. It allows visual landing in reduced visibility conditions, such as fog, haze, dust, smog etc.

Þ    Reducing tooling cost: At the urging of General Motors Corp and funding from the BIRD Foundation, Tesco joined forces with CogniTens Inc. to develop a measurement system specifically tuned to the needs of automotive BIW assemblies. The result is the I3 Measurement Cell, which reduces auto makers’ cost for developing, proving out and monitoring expensive product-specific tooling. GM uses the I3 approach extensively to evaluate fit and finish for the interior and exterior of the Pontiac Solstice roadster and the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV.

Þ    Cutting-Edge HR System: Shanghai Municipal Labor and Social Security Bureau are using web-based screening and assessment tools to support entrepreneurs that were developed by CareerHarmony and Manpower with a grant from the BIRD Foundation. Following the project Manpower Inc., the $11 billion staffing and HR organization, became the majority shareholder, a major client and powerful strategic partner to CareerHarmony.

Þ    Digital Servo System: The BIRD project between Kollmorgen and Servotonix led to the development of a low cost, high performance digital servo motor drive serving a wider range of power requirements. Following the project, Kollmorgen acquired Servotronix. Today, Kollmorgen-Servotronix in Israel is a center of excellence, responsible for development of custom servo and motion control systems for large OEMs.

Þ    Seasonal Allergy Treatment: The joint development of ‘loteprednol etabonate’ (LE) by Pharmos and Bausch & Lomb funded by the BIRD Foundation has been the fundamental formulation for the development of Lotemax which is the No. 1 dispensed ophthalmic steroid brand in America, and Alrex, which is the treatment of choice among many eye-care professionals in the United States for severe seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

Þ    Mobile Travel Tool: WorldMate  (formely MobiMate), a provider of mobile travel services, partnered with Conducive Technology, to develop its newest mobile travel tool, WorldMate Live, with a grant from the BIRD Foundation. The mobile travel application proactively aggregates and monitors all details from a user's travel bookings and Outlook meetings into a detailed itinerary, then pushes pertinent information to the user in real time. As a result, WorldMate Live accurately predicts travel conflicts for road warriors and automatically provides solutions, often before a traveler even knows there is a potential problem.

Þ    Mobile Internet via Satellite: RaySat and iDirect Technologies collaborated to launch a mobile satellite communication platform that supports live TV reception and 2-way broadband data connectivity in automobiles, recreation vehicles, trains, buses and public service vehicles, while in motion.  This successful project funded by the BIRD Foundation provided a tested solution for customers on the move.

Þ    Time-temperature indicator:  Ciba Specialty Chemicals and FreshPoint have developed the OnVu™, a novel time-temperature indicator (TTI). The most common causes of spoilage of chilled food and beverages are too high temperatures during storage and transport. This new TTI device supported by the BIRD Foundation shows at a glance the freshness of perishable goods. It allow producers, retailers and consumers to check whether perishable products have been correctly stored and supplied, thus helping to enhance consumer convenience and confidence.

Þ    Sperm Quality Analyzer: The Optibreed Sperm Quality Analyzer was designed and developed by Progeny Systems and MES (Medical Electronic Systems Ltd.), as a unique portable unit that combines optical detection with an internal computer to provide a rapid sperm analysis --- both for the human fertility market as well as the veterinary market. The Analyzer, funded by the BIRD Foundation, provides quantitative evaluation of the semen quality of Cattle and Swine.

Þ    Through-Wall Location and Sensing System:  General Dynamics (GDATP) and Camero developed a portable solution for through-wall location and sensing. The Xaver™ 400 system detects whether people are present behind walls, how many and where they are situated. The system, simple to operate, is a dependable tool to increase situation awareness and to support effective decision making.

Þ    Cost-Efficient Optical Communication Cable Connection:  Molex and ColorChip developed a highly innovative pluggable transceiver based on a Planar Waveguide Component. This type of relatively easy and reliable connection supports the growing need for optical broadband network architectures.

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