BAR-ILAN INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED MATERIALS | 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

partners in this research. Both the collaboration with Paris-Descartes and the grant are the result of our outstanding students and staff working in Paris and channeling the desired recognition to BINA through a variety of collaborative academic activities. Looking ahead, BINA aspires to continue leading in these fields. To that end, we will dive deeper into quantum disciplines, in line with the Israeli government’s recent commitment to advance this field. BINA’s QUEST Center (Quantum Entanglement in Science and Technology) has the necessary expertise to be in the forefront, leading this national project. Investing on suitable infrastructure for both basic and applied research and adjusting existing equipment in preparation for the up-and-coming Angstrom (Å) field, will enable our research to expand and develop the areas of quantum optics, quantum physics, quantum materials, and more. In addition, we put a lot of effort into bio-convergence, emphasizing the integration of biology with engineering and electronics. I can name, for example, several research projects concerned with tissue engineering, nanorobotic sensors, and the correlations between robots and biological phenomena. It is important to state that recent years were challenging due to budget restrictions. That being said, we fully understand the urgency of the reductions; we are containing the related setbacks to a minimum, and we believe that they will even yield future breakthroughs. Even in the face of budget restrictions, we did not compromise on both quality and quantity of human resources, and even managed to improve on several fronts. We are committed to providing excellent service on an ongoing basis, and becoming more efficient and streamlined. Best regards, Prof. Dror Fixler Head of the Bar-Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Dear Friends and Colleagues, The Bar-Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA) has taken upon itself to become a shining example in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In order to accomplish this complex, vast and vague mission, we have chosen to rise in the international arena and project our light into three main vectors. Starting with the concrete and expanding to the global, I will elaborate on these three vectors, which include academic collaborations, industrial services, and international recognition. The first vector is the rather conventional goal of establishing international academic collaborations with counterpart nano institutions in every continent in which such institutes exist. The second vector can be achieved thanks to BINA’s unique strategic positioning as both an academic research center and as a commercial entity. This intrinsic structure makes us valuable partners to other professional bodies, as we can provide commercial companies with cutting-edge service. The European Union is our main activity hub, alongside extensive activities in the US and in the far east, specifically China and India, where we are aiming to find new financial sources. BINA provides its services to companies all over the world right here in Israel. To that end, we are harnessing our existing infrastructure and skilled staff and setting up new facilities dedicated to endeavors related to 2D and smart materials. The third vector is to gain international recognition through our world-class students and scientists. The goal is to be internationally recognized as the leader in the field and to facilitate progress and innovation everywhere. An exciting collaboration signed recently with Paris- Descartes University in France is an example of these vectors being realized: the establishment of an academic partnership with a well-respected counterpart, to whom BINA will also provide professional services. Additionally, in the wake of this partnership, we were awarded a Eurostars grant for EUR 1.1 million, of which a portion was divided between individual members of BINA as 3