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SolCold Announces New Agreement with Volkswagen Group to Develop Cooling Technology on a Future Concept Car

SolCold, developers of a breakthrough environmentally-friendly cooling material, announced a cooperation agreement with Konnect, Volkswagen Group’s Innovation Hub in Tel-Aviv.

SolCold was founded by Yaron Shenhav, CEO, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem nanoscience Prof. Guy Ron of the Racah Institute of Physics technology with support from Yissum, the tech transfer company at HU. The company conducted feasibility tests at HU Prof. Guy Ron’s lab, followed by three years of R&D at SolCold labs to develop the breakthrough cooling material.

“We had two cars at the demo site where we were doing research,” Shenav says. “Volkswagen wanted to test a vehicle, so we did a demo that showed that our technology was able to bring down temperatures in the hot Israel sun by 12-14 °C (53.6-57.2 °F) by coating the rooftop and dashboard, compared to the control vehicle.”

When sunlight comes into contact with the SolCold coating, it triggers a reaction that converts heat into radiation in a process called “anti-Stokes fluorescence.” This actually increases cooling as the strength of the sunlight increases. Using this four-layer material in car development could significantly reduce power consumption and further expand the range of electric vehicles.

In addition to automotive, SolCold’s technology could have a significant impact on many other industries enabling organizations and even cities to meet and exceed sustainability goals. The material’s cooling effect is reinforced by the strength of the sun’s rays, so many hot climates are target markets.

“We are looking forward to expanding our research collaboration with Volkswagen’s Konnect,” Shenhav said. “As the largest car company in Europe, Volkswagen Group’s use of SolCold technology could decrease the carbon emissions associated with air conditioning in transportation.”

About SolCold

SolCold is a nanotechnology company responsible for the development of a breakthrough environmentally friendly cooling technology. The company’s technology significantly reduces the strain on electricity grids, reducing the energy consumed by up to 60% and the need for harmful HFC emissions. When sunlight comes into contact with the SolCold coating layer, it triggers a reaction that converts heat into radiation in a process called “anti-Stokes fluorescence.” Cooling increases as the strength of the sunlight increases with the add-on of an additional cooling mechanism in the form of a perfect black body emitting in the far IR. Founded in 2016, Chartered Opus and Yissum Technology Transfer of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem back the company. SolCold is headquartered in Ness Ziona, Israel. For further information, please visit https://solcold.co/

About Konnect – VW Group Innovation Hub TLV

Volkswagen Group is active in Israel via its subsidiary Konnect – VW Group Innovation Hub TLV. Konnect’s mission is to scout, test and match deep-tech Israeli startups to the Volkswagen Group brands, based on the core focus topics, and needs of the Group.

Leveraging the technical expertise and a deep understanding of the Israeli innovation ecosystem, the Konnect team evaluates potential technologies and manages the testing and validation through projects and PoCs. Konnect offers the startups an accelerated process platform with guidance, fast onboarding, and access to the Volkswagen Group. Since its establishment in 2018, Konnect has managed more than 60 innovation projects with startups and key stakeholders in the Volkswagen Group, leveraging the Group network and local expertise to facilitate successful collaborations and drive innovation into the Volkswagen Group.

About Yissum

Yissum is the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Founded in 1964, it serves as a bridge between cutting-edge academic research and a global community of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry. Yissum’s mission is to benefit society by converting extraordinary innovations and transformational technologies into commercial solutions that address our most urgent global challenges. Yissum has registered over 11,000 patents globally; licensed over 1,140 technologies and has spun out more than 200 companies. Yissum’s business partners span the globe and include companies such as Boston Scientific, ICL, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis and many more. For further information please visit  www.yissum.co.il

About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s leading academic and research institution. Serving 24,000 students from 80 countries, it produces a third of Israel’s civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal since 2000.

About American Friends of the Hebrew University

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York, and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni, and the public with stimulating programs and events, and organizes missions to Israel. The organization’s activities support scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, create scholarships, fund new facilities, and assist the University’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty.

For more information, please visit http://www.afhu.org/