Could this be why SVSY took a hit today?
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Purifying the World at Speed of Light
Atlantium expects its technology for purifying water (and other things) to cause a revolution equivalent to the advent of cellular telephony.
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Purifying the World at Speed of Light
High Tech Features
By Efi Landau
globes.co.il
Altlantium was officially founded in 1997, but its development activity was begun almost ten years ago by the company's scientist, Zamir Tribelsky, who has lived in England for many years, where he "saw the light", so to say. Ten patents are currently listed in Tribelsky's name, all involving light, light radiation, or the influence of light radiation on chemical substances, physical structures and biological activity. Some of the patents concern sound, as well as light.
Terbelsky is a familiar name among nuclear scientists. What is the connection between nuclear science and light? Atlantium general manager Amnon Sherf explains that many of the company's activities involve comprehending the biological activities of substances on a sub-atomic level. Of the various fields concerning light in which the company is developing, two are principal areas. The first is water purification. The first plant is about to begin operating in Turkey. The second is polymers, which are in the final development stages, and whose commercial debut is planned for the beginning of Y2000.
When Atlantium talks about purification, they don't mean water only. They also mean purifying liquids and gases from microbes and all other biological activity. It might be water, wine, milk, or any other liquid or gas. The applications are widespread: wine fermentation process control, for example.
Let's get back to water. While the Water Commission has arbitrarily lowered the level of the red line in the Kinneret, Atlantium has launched an innovative water purification plant. We're not talking about desalinization of Dead Sea water, but about purifying water from germs and other disease-causing factors.
Altantium's plant radiates ultra-violet light, not by means of countless expensive light bulbs, but by a laser beam with the exact frequency required to purify that particular substance.
Amnon Sherf explains: "The wavelength crosses the liquid and hits the germ exactly right. Hitting it doesn't mean a karate chop, but a soft pet. The key is minimal energy in the proper place and on the proper wavelength. The energy is measured in tens of megawatts per sq.cm. Light bulb technology only gives watts per sq.cm.
The existing product is a mobile purification plant, which uses ultra-violet and laser beam technology. The plant can be connected to a polluted water source and supply over 50,000 half-liter bags of quality water a day - the consumption of 10,000 people. The cost of the plant is $850,000. The bags allow the water to be drunk after purification, without piping.
The first to benefit from Atlantium's plant will be some tens of thousands of Turkish earthquake refugees.
In the earthquake area, almost all water pipes bringing water to settlements were destroyed and all water sources, both above and below ground, were seriously polluted by the decaying bodies of earthquake victims. The area is currently defined as an ecological danger area, since rain falling after the earthquake washed the pollution into the earth to underground sources, streams, and rivers.
Sherf is to go to Turkey next week to examine the site which Turkish authorities are proposing for the purification plant. In addition to logistical costs, the Turkish government will finance the cost of the bags at about $1,000 per day. Sherf says that Atlantium is capable of solving the problem of drinking water for all the refugees within a month and a half by using additional mobile plants. "We are about to do what cellular technology did in China. Cellular technology overtook land line communications there, and we will overtake the existing purification technology."
Atlantium's water purification solution has attracted world wide attention, as has its solution for using laser technology, called "the gentle bombing" of germs with radiation. Atlantium hired two of the world's leading professionals, both Nobel Prize winners, to give their opinion of its products.
The first is Prof. James Bolton, biologist and chemist, who specializes in ultra-violet systems; the second is George Fair, a mathematician, who specializes in model theories.
Sherf explains that Atlantium's tactic recently has been to gain exposure first to scientific circles, and through them to the world's large infrastructure companies. A subsidiary is currently being founded for water purification using laser and ultra-violet radiation.
Atlantium is negotiating with the laser division of French electronics concern Tompson (CSF) for strategic cooperation, either by founding a joint subsidiary, or by joint share-swap investment. Tompson Lasers is the third largest company in the world in its field. A memorandum of understanding already exists; the negotiation concerns the division of ownership. According to the understanding, the French company will invest in developing laser lines for the water company.
Atlantium is also negotiating with three international infrastructure and energy companies for investment in the water company at a rate of 10%-20%, according to a company value of over $100 million. The companies are: Suez Lyonnaise Des Eaux, Degremont, and the energy giant Enron. "Globes" has learned that one of the three is willing to invest according to a much higher company value, but is demanding control; the shareholders are unwilling to sell.
What of Israel? Atlantium is in the tender process (still in the preliminary stage) for a filtration plant for the national water carrier. Sherf is unwilling to expand on the subject. He will say only that Mekorot is examining the plant, and that Atlantium has contacts with three groups, which have filed bids for the preliminary tender stage.
The second field in which the company has reached an advanced development stage is electro-optic polymers and light transmission. Polymers are plastic materials, which have the characteristics of natural elastic materials, for example rubber. They are built from giant molecules, either natural, like resins, or produced artificially.
Atlantium has succeeded in producing unique molecule chains with previously unknown opto-mechanical features, which allow a whole series of applications. For example, the company can create fiber-optics from polymers instead of glass.
Sherf: "Our products will be launched in Q1 of Y2000, and we will shake the market. For example, we have a new fiber. The intensity of illumination of its external envelope can be controlled under certain circumstances. Such a fiber could be laid on the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem road on the divider between the two lanes, to mark the road. In a fog, the amount of light could be increased, or the light changed to green. We also have a way to magnify sunlight and to transmit it 40 floors underground."
"Globes": Water purification using laser and ultra-violet rays sounds primitive, compared with these developments.
"With polymers, we can lead light energy wherever and whenever we want."
How would you define yourselves?
"We have a problem with definitions. We are a high-tech company, which tries to specialize in many activities. We intend to announce another activity every quarter or two, and have a subsidiary develop it."
The company raised $2 million from six private investors a year ago for 10% of the shares, according to a company value of $20 million after money. Other shareholders are Zamir Tribelsky (35%), Ened Sumnik (35%), SIL Trusties Ltd. (5%), and employees (10%).
Of the employees, Sherf holds options for 2.5% of the shares. He has been managing the company for only six months; previously, he was deputy general manager of Electric Fuel, a battery company for electric vehicles.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on October 20, 1999 |
