A computerized information center, one of the largest in Israel, operates at the Samuel Neaman Institute. The center was established to fulfill the needs of knowledge management and to supply information science services to consortia that operate within the MAGNET program, and is part of the MAGNET program of the Ministry of Economy.
For the past two decades, the Samuel Neaman Institute participates in the MAGNET program of the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry, the aim of which is to encourage generic-technological R&D in Israel. The goal of the program is to create cooperation between companies in industry and researchers from the academy in R&D in various areas. The program was launched in 1992 by the Chief Scientist of the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry. On 2011, MAGNET operated sixteen consortia and supported three other tracks for the development of high-tech industry (Users' Association, MAGNATON and NOFAR).
The Samuel Neaman Institute has contributed greatly during the establishment and development stages of the program, in cooperation with the Chief Scientist, and has acted as a mediator between the academy and industry in encouaging joint R&D and transferring technologies between the two sectors. The Samuel Neaman Institute defined the idea of a central information center of MAGNET consortia as part of the cooperative effort between all the researchers in the industry and the academy who are members in these consortia.
The services provided by the information centers include:
- Establishing information database: The database is intended to organize and store the internal information created in the consortium; it includes periodic technical reports, presentations, contact lists, forms, correspondance, and so on. The website of the information database is accessible to authorized users only. The website's system for information management is based on a standard internet interface, allowing quick and convenient access to information.
- Information science services: The service’s purpose is to provide the consortium members with updated information published on the subjects dealt with by the consortium. The information is retrieved from technical professional databases and from websites; it includes standards, patents, professional articles and news. The information is distributed to the consortium members on a regular basis.
- Aid tools for organizational management: the upgraded system provides modules to assist in the organizational management of the consortia, such as workgroup meeting management, through an interactive calendar, mailing lists for transferring messages and annoucements, and secured forums for holding unstructured discussions between the consortium's members.
- Consortia’s open websites: building websites for consortia that are interested in publishing their activity around the world, including: CORNET, HySP, ISRC, TERA SANTA, METRO450, TEPS, BSMT, ISG and so on.
- Human resources: the information center employs seven information specialists who established and manage the different information centers.
The information centers for consortia operated by Samuel Neaman Institute in 2012 include:
Network Programing (NEPTUN): Various technologies for communication networks programing. Transportation
Electric Power Solutions (TEPS): Electrochemical energy and power sources for all-electric advanced vehicles.
Printed Electronics (PRINTEL): Developing structures, components, and functional devices for printing in two or three dimensions on flexible and other substrates.
Brain Stimulation & Monitoring Toolbox Consortium (BSMT): Technologies for the integration of neuro stimulation with monitoring technologies for treating brain diseases with closed-loop feedback and personalized treatment.
‘The Israeli Smart Grid Consortuim’ (ISG): Developing a technological infrastructure for integrating the communication network and elements of command and control in the electricity network through optimal utilization of the energy available to realize a greener world.
"Info Media" Consortium: which involved with locating the content matching in the digital media world and social networking, in order to achieve the goal of making content available and accessible.
Advanced Additive Titanium Development Consortium (AATiD): was established in order to develop advanced technologies for design ad three-dimensional printing of optimized complex Aero-structures mad of titanium alloys
