For a greener future: An innovative development by Shiran Czyzyk and Gal Raviv, both outstanding students at the Department of Polymers & Plastics Engineering, won first place in the Israeli Climate Launchpad competition, and will compete in the European finals due to be held in Estonia in October 2016. In a joint research project with the Department’s senior staff - Prof. Hanna Dodiuk, Dr. Ana Dotan, Prof. Shmuel Kenig and student Niv Cohen - they found a unique, effective, and environmentally friendly solution to prevent ice accumulating on fuselage and wings of passenger aircraft.

UnFrozen, which is already patent protected, will reduce  carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions from passenger aircraft, and save airlines vast amounts in fuel costs, all without using environmentally harmful chemicals on which currently used products are based. The unique project stood out among the dozens of proposals presented in the finals of the Israeli competition, which was held at Google Campus Tel Aviv, due to its innovation, environmental effect, and the technological and environmental potential it offers.

The UnFrozen research team, from right to left: Prof. Hanna Dodiuk, Dr. Ana Dotan, Shiran Czyzyk, Gal Raviv, Prof. Shmuel Kenig

The Climate Launchpad competition is the biggest and most important in Europe for ideas engaging in cleantech, and its objective is to promote projects and developments that address climate change and the environment. The eight projects shortlisted for the European finals will participate in the prestigious program Climate-KIC Accelerator, and the top three will also be awarded cash prizes.

At the top of the page: Shiran Czyzyk, Gal Raviv with their winning certificates from the Israeli finals