Engineer Engineering

Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Systems Engineer and Physicist • R&D • PM

*******@*****.***

Summary

Interdisciplinary engineer and physicist with twelve years of hands-on experience leading and managing

high-tech and healthcare research and development activities in academic, industrial and start-up settings.

Seeking to use and advance this expertise as a significant contributor to the development of novel technologies

and products, and a leader of strategic initiatives and innovations.

• Commanding knowledge of theory, experimental methods and technology in optics, acoustics, and magnetics

actuators and sensors.

• Masterful executer of design and realization of complex and sophisticated apparatus for the development of

innovative devices with high-end industrial and customized equipment

• Strong record of successful R&D and project management, strategic initiatives, multi-site cross-functional

operations, applications and business development, systems engineering, prototyping, technology transfer,

training and teaching, and customer relations activities.

Honors and Awards

Barazani Foundation Prize

Barazani Foundation

2009

Awarded the Barazani Foundation Prize for outstanding R&D in recognition of the discovery of an

unexpected size effect phenomenon in magnetic shape memory materials, resulting in over 100%

enhancement of the work output capability of magnetic micro-actuators

Jacob Prize

Jacob foundation

2007

Awarded the Jacob Prize for the development of remotely activated and controlled micro actuators and

sensors for MEMS applications

Experience

VP Research and Development at Ai Cure Technologies, Inc.

2012 - Present (1 year)

Led and managed the development of a medication identification and authentication system that significantly

Page1

reduces medication consumption errors, and instances of counterfeit medications consumption.

Technology Advisory Board Member at Floelle, Inc.

2011 - Present (2 years)

Technical advisor to the development of a novel device for solving the problem of involuntary urine leakage

from stress and mixed urinary incontinence

Reseach Manager at Izon Science Ltd

2011 - 2012 (1 year)

Led the US activity supporting the development and application of the qNano system, a nanometer-scale

particle characterization system.

2 recommendations available upon request

Research Associate at University of Minnesota

2008 - 2011 (3 years)

• Developed novel x-ray diffraction method for rapid identification of viruses and carbon nano-tubes.

• Designed 3D bi-chiral photonic crystals for optical manipulation methodologies.

• Self assembly models, simulations and experiments.

2 recommendations available upon request

Research Scientist at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

2004 - 2008 (4 years)

• Designed complex opto-mechanical instrumentation for measuring displacements and forces of micro

actuators.

• Developed quantitative methods for nanoscale characterization of multiferroics and biomaterials that is

essential for the successful development of new thin-films, composite materials, and nanoscale assemblies.

Acoustics Research Engineer at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

2002 - 2004 (2 years)

• Developed a non-invasive blood pressure estimation system using ultrasonic Optison® contrast agents.

(Joint project with GE Healthcare)

Research Assistant at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

2001 - 2002 (1 year)

• Designed and tested an apparatus for self-trapping beams for optical switching and communication.

Skills & Expertise

Biomedical Engineering

Lifesciences

Materials Science

Biotechnology

Nanotechnology

Page2

R&D

Medical Devices

Optics

Nanoparticles

Matlab

Applied Physics

Experimental Physics

Acoustics

Program Management

Technology Transfer

Relationship Developer

Medical Device R&D

Medical Imaging

Science

Commercialization

Start-ups

Signal Processing

Languages

English (Native or bilingual proficiency)

Hebrew (Native or bilingual proficiency)

Matlab (Professional working proficiency)

Publications

Untethered Propulsion Systems

Smart Materials and Structures 2013

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Generating propulsion at small-scale devices is a major challenge due to both the domination of viscous

forces at low Reynolds numbers. Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys provide unique combination of

capabilities such as large strains, fast response time, and remote actuation by magnetic fields. In this paper,

we present the design, realization and characterization of

Ni2MnGa alloy that utilize a novel shear actuation method to generate propulsion. The actuator is found to

exert strain of 6%, with a maximum twin boundary velocity of 3m/sec and thrust of

approximately 40mN, which is four orders of magnitude larger than of its biological counterparts. This work

paves the way for the development of new remotely activated and controlled propulsion for untethered

micro-scale robotic tasks.

Ferromagnetic shape memory flapper

Sensors and Actuators 2009

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

A new method for propulsion using a Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory flapper is introduced. We

optically examine the magnetic field induced strain of pure shear by means of a state of the art generator that

provides alternating magnetic fields of 7000 Oe. Preliminary measurements show local shear deformation of

Page3

about 5% at frequencies of up to 100kHz., which open new frontiers in propulsion mechanisms.

Breaching the work output limitation of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2008

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

One important parameter that quantifies the performance of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys is the

blocking stress. To date, the low blocking levels impede the utilization of these

alloys in applications where high work output is required. In this paper, we demonstrate an increase in the

blocking stress by more than 100% by reducing the actuator size. A new theoretical model shows that smaller

specimens have increased values of the blocking stress due to an enhancement in the energy barrier to

magnetization rotation and indicates on a fundamental relationship among the specimen size, its

microstructure, and its physical properties.

Modulus mapping of nanoscale closure variants in Ni–Mn–Ga

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2008

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

The twinned magnetic microstructure of Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy is investigated by high

resolution nanoscale modulus mapping. A surprisingly fine near-surface sub-microstructure of closure

magnetic twin variants was observed. The lateral distance between adjacent closure variants was found to be

100nm. The small size of the twin variant prisms provides a unique opportunity for evaluating the twin

boundary energy by considering the competition between the magnetic field and interface energies. The small

value of twin boundary energy in Ni2MnGa demonstrate the ability of FSM to form fine microstructures of

magnetic twin variants, and opens the way for engineering high work output actuators by controlling their

microstructure.

Testing system for ferromagnetic shape memory microactuators

REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2007

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys are a class of smart materials that exhibit a unique combination of large

strains and fast response when exposed to magnetic field. Accordingly, these materials have significant

potential in motion generation applications such as microactuators and sensors. This article presents a novel

experimental system that measures the dynamic magnetomechanical behavior of microscale ferromagnetic

shape memory specimens. The system is comprised of an alternating magnetic field generator and a

mechanical loading and sensing system. Preliminary measurements using Ni2MnGa single crystal micro

specimens, verified their large actuation strains and established their potential to become a material of great

importance in microactuation technology.

High sensitivity nanoscale mapping of elastic moduli

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2006

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Recently, a new technique has been developed, which allows quantitative nanoscale mapping of elastic

moduli by means of a hybrid nanoindentation and force modulation instrument.We introduce a procedure for

finding the experimental parameters that provide an optimal modulus contrast. An application of the

Page4

procedure on a BaTiO3 single crystal reveals a clear contrast between domains that have different

orientations of the tetragonal unit cell. The obtained results are in good agreement with reported bulk elastic

moduli and show that the elastic modulus sensitivity is 5%. Thus, the improved modulus mapping procedure

can be applied not only to composite materials but also to many multiphase and multidomain material

systems.

Time and pressure dependence of acoustic signals radiated from microbubbles

Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 2005

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Encapsulated microbubbles are considered to be microsensors for in vivo blood pressure measurements in the

cardiovascular system. To study the potential of this method, we developed a simulation and an experimental

set-up that relate various characteristics of radiated acoustic signals from the microbubbles to the varying

ambient pressure. Both the simulation and the experiment show that the radiated pressure from microbubbles

generates a significant subharmonic component, which is modulated by changes in the ambient

pressure. A time-dependent decrease of the steady-state radii within a population of microbubbles causes a

phase

reversal phenomenon, which explains the observed time delay in the build-up of the subharmonic modulation

response. Additionally, we identify a frequency-capturing effect that indicates the termination of the

nonlinear

behavior of the microbubbles. Our research suggests that these subharmonic signals can be used for in vivo

blood pressure measurements and highlights some of the considerations that need to be addressed in

developing such techniques.

Photorefractive solitons and light-induced resonance control

Optics Letters 2002

Authors: Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Optical spatial solitons and self-trapping of beams have been investigated for almost four decades. Much of

the progress in this field was made in the past 10 years, partly following the discovery of photorefractive

solitons, which made possible solitons with very low power levels, as well as soliton experiments in bulk

media. Photorefractive solitons, and the waveguides they induce, combine properties offering interesting

applications: reconfigurable directional couplers, beam splitters, waveguide switching devices, and tunable

waveguides for second-harmonic generation and for optical parametric oscillation. We demonstrate the

formation of 1D and 2D-dimensional solitons in photorefractive CdZnTe:V, exploiting the intensity-resonant

behavior of the space-charge field. We control the resonance optically, facilitating a 10-ms soliton formation

times with very low optical power.

Education

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

PhD, Applied Physics, Actuators and Sensors, 2004 - 2008

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Page5

MSc, Biomedical Engineering, Ultrasound acoustics, 2002 - 2004

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

BSc, Phyiscs, Electro-Optics, 1998 - 2002

Interests

Photography, Scuba diving, Mountain Biking, Music

Page6

Yaniv Ganor, PhD

Systems Engineer and Physicist • R&D • PM

*******@*****.***

4 people have recommended Yaniv

"Yaniv worked with us as a representative from Izon Science, where he revived a failing collaboration

between Harvard and his company, who had promised to make measurements for us using their qNano. After

months of non-communication and fruitless consumption of our laboriously collected samples, Izon finally

put Yaniv on the project. During his time at our laboratory, he was exceptionally diligent, patient and

accommodating. When characterizing samples that are not well understood, using unfamiliar technologies, it

is extremely important to consider the instrument's basic principles of operation as part of the pathway to

generating confident results. Yaniv's deep technical knowledge and ability to think on his feet were crucial to

our work in this way. In addition, he went out of his way to accommodate our scheduling requirements, in

spite of considerable inconvenience to himself. It is to his credit that we were able to complete the intended

work, particularly after a long and mostly silent delay prior to his arrival on the project. We had been ready to

abandon the relationship; Yaniv's efforts, performance and demeanor changed our minds."

Allison Halleck, Research Staff, Harvard Catalyst Laboratory for Innovative Translational

Technologies, was with another company when working with Yaniv at Izon Science Ltd

"Yaniv Ganor managed and delivered training and ongoing user support for our team of scientists when we

first started using Izon's qNano instrument. The qNano is a very sophisticated instrument and in-depth

training is recommended. Dr. Ganor made the process of learning fun and efficient for our team, the

experience could not have been better. We are now able to run high-value nanoparticle determinations for our

internal as well as our clients’ projects very efficiently and with a high degree of accuracy. Thanks!"

Johannes Fruehauf, was Yaniv's client

"I first met Yaniv in 2001 when he was a student at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology where I was

teaching/tutoring a course in optomechanical design. He impressed me with his unconventional thinking and

ability to dig deep into the issues being taught. We quickly became colleauges and friends, often discussing

science and research in our respective fields.Through these discussions I have developed a great deal of

understanding and appreciation to the quality of his work, and his dedication to good science and engineering.

Yaniv has actively been involved in research since 2001. He has worked in a variety of fields ranging from

optics through biology and biomedical engineering to material sciences. This has has granted him with an

in-depth understanding in a wide variety of fields.The scope of his knowledge is unique in it's breadth,

making him an exceptionally good multidisciplinary scientist. Yaniv's most remarkable ability is his

capability to combine well-honed experimental skills with an excellent grasp for theory and mathematics.

Page7

This enables him to perform sophisticated experiments and back up his results with impeccable theoretical

analysis, leading to first class scientific work. Most imprtant of all, Yaniv is a good friend. He has an open

mind. He is always willing to listen, and contributes his valuable advice when asked. He is honest, supportive

and loyal. In short, he is an asset worth having on your side."

Zeev Bomzon, Head of Physics in the Electro-Optics Department, CI-Systems, was with another company

when working with Yaniv at University of Minnesota

"I first became aware of Dr. Yaniv Ganor’s work when I was writing a review paper for the scientific journal

Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics. Ganor made important discoveries whilst working at Technion –

Israel Institute of Technolgy. These have been well documented by his scientific publications and

presentations. I read the majority of his papers; I am regularly citing his Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology

article on microbubble subharmonics in my scientific papers. I use his MSc thesis “Analysis of radiated

acoustic signals from microbubbles” as a work of reference in my research. Heart disease and cancer account

for more than 50% of the causes of death in the U.S. Ultrasonic imaging is a safe, reliable, and cheap means

to detect diseases, compared to other imaging modalities. However, ultrasound cannot image blood well.

Therefore, novel methods using contrast agents have been under investigation, so that blood can be imaged,

leading to a higher detection rate of infracted regions in the heart and newly-formed blood vessels in tumors.

Dr. Ganor’s research on bubble-acoustics is of direct use in this exciting and life-saving field. Moreover, his

work has been applicable in finding noninvasive ways to measure blood pressure inside organs. Currently,

blood pressure inside organs can only measured using catheterization, which is expensive and carries a risk of

infection. Tracking the dissolution time of contrast agents ultrasonically would be an elegant, cheap and

risk-free method to measure blood pressure noninvasively. As opposed to most scientists working in

biomedical engineering, Dr. Ganor has not limited himself to research into just one modality. During his PhD,

he became an expert on ferromagnetic materials and their medical applications. Also, Ganor has started

working on novel X-ray imaging techniques. The high level of his research is illustrated by his outstanding

papers in Applied Physics Letters and by the two prestigious awards he received for his PhD research: the

Barazani Foundation prize and the Jacobs Foundation prize. Although I have not had the pleasure to meet

Yaniv to make sure that he buys me a lifetime supply of Goldstar, I am very aware of his reputation and

contributions at Technion. The Dept. of Biomedical Engineering is among the world’s best institutes in this

field. I have witnessed the high level of lecturing and supervising at this Department, and I am sure that

Yaniv has enjoyed the same level when he was conducting research at this Department. He is highly

respected by his peers for his knowledge, his dedication and his novel insights. In summary, Dr. Ganor has

become a world expert on medical imaging. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally.

Ganor is a young scientist who will undoubtedly develop into a leader in biomedical engineering research. I

am convinced that a scientist of his caliber and talent is of great interest to the United States biomedical

engineering arena."

Michiel Postema, Professor of Experimental Acoustics, University of Bergen, was with another company

when working with Yaniv at University of Minnesota

Contact Yaniv on LinkedIn

Page8

Contact this candidate