Ben-Gurion University, US Air Force Sign Aviation Research Deal

June 4, 2018 | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has signed a three-year research agreement with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to collaborate to improve aviation engine health monitoring by developing better algorithms for it, the two companies announced in a statement. Professor Jacob Bortman, head of the university’s PHM (prognostic health monitoring) lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and formerly Head of Material Command in the Israel Air Force, has “developed advanced diagnostic and prognostic algorithms to monitor engine health and predict materials deterioration” and reduce accidents and maintenance costs, the press release said. Dr. Renata Klein, a mechanical health monitoring expert, will also take part in the research collaboration. The agreement was signed under the auspices of the Defense Ministry’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure.