BGU Launches Thermal Research Institute of Israel
New facility will advance research on materials under extreme conditions and support Israel’s industry, defense sector, and national laboratories
Materials exposed to extreme temperatures undergo dramatic changes in their physical and chemical properties. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has launched the Thermal Research Institute of Israel (THERIS), a new national knowledge hub dedicated to the analysis, testing, and study of materials under extreme conditions. The institute will serve as an advanced scientific and technological infrastructure supporting industry, the defense sector, and national laboratories across Israel.
Understanding Materials in Extreme Environments
The institute was established to develop expertise and capabilities in the thermal analysis of materials designed for use in harsh environments. Its long-term goal is to achieve testing and characterization at temperatures of up to 4,000°C, enabling both fundamental and applied research into the behavior of materials under conditions that push the limits of current technologies.
Building National Capabilities in Thermal Science
Research activities will focus on thermophysical properties such as thermal conductivity, heat capacity, thermal expansion, thermal radiation, magnetic transitions, and melting points. The institute will also investigate thermochemical processes, including formation energies, phase transitions, thermal stability, oxidation and reduction processes, solid-state reactions, mass changes, gas emissions, material interactions with gaseous environments, and reactivity studies using acetylene-hydrogen torch experiments.
The development of advanced methods for characterizing materials at high temperatures is expected to foster a new generation of specialists in thermodynamics and advanced materials science. In addition, the institute will create a national foundation of data, expertise, simulation capabilities, and predictive tools that will benefit researchers, industry, defense organizations, and government laboratories.
A Strategic Investment in Israel’s Future
“The practical implications of the work that will be carried out here will enable knowledge sharing that influences many different industries and ultimately affects our daily lives,” said Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “That is our mission as a university—to make an impact. I am already looking forward to seeing the results and innovations that emerge from this institute.”
Prof. Shmuel Hayun, founder and director of THERIS, said the institute’s mission is to transform scientific knowledge into a national research infrastructure that advances both basic and applied science. “Our goal is not merely to provide results, but to build knowledge that will serve the scientific community for years to come,” he said.
Prof. Dan Blumberg, Vice President for Regional and Industrial Development, described the inauguration as “a day of celebration,” adding that the new facility strengthens Israel’s technological and professional independence through the creation of a new national research infrastructure.
Prof. Raz Jelinek, Vice President and Dean for Research and Development, noted that the institute reflects the university’s commitment to investing in world-class research infrastructure that contributes significantly to the State of Israel and its security.
Victor Finestein, a senior representative of the Ministry of Defense, called the institute “a strategic investment in Israel’s scientific, technological, and industrial capabilities.” He added that the facility will support the development of next-generation materials for energy, aviation, space, and defense systems, helping position Israel at the forefront of global research on materials designed for extreme environments.
