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Learn MoreHow Early Support Helped Build a Lab for Clean Energy Breakthroughs
Our research helps bridge the gap between promising ideas and real-world implementation.”
Prof. Andy Thawko, David and Meira Ilfeld Faculty Fellow and Head of the Technion Reactive Thermofluidics Lab
The next generation of sustainability breakthroughs depends not only on bold ideas but also on investing in the people behind them. Prof. Andy Thawko (opens in a new tab), David and Meira Ilfeld Faculty Fellow and head of the Technion Reactive Thermofluidics Lab, illustrates how early support can help launch a research career with global impact. A Technion alumnus and member of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP) (opens in a new tab)‘s first master’s cohort, Thawko is now developing cleaner energy solutions while mentoring the next generation of researchers.
Thawko: I was accepted into a unique Technion program for advanced mathematics as a middle school student. Visiting the Technion at such a young age had a lasting impact and inspired me to pursue engineering. I then did my undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. studies at the Technion, and was part of GTEP’s first cohort as a master’s student.
Thawko: I lead the Reactive Thermofluidics Lab, which focuses on a simple but critical challenge: how to produce and use energy without harming the environment.
Today, more than 80% of the world’s energy still relies on the combustion of fossil fuels, which produce carbon emissions and harmful pollutants. At the same time, global energy demand is rising rapidly.
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers require enormous, continuous power, in some cases comparable to that of entire cities. Meeting this demand while reducing environmental impact is one of the defining challenges of our time.
Transitioning to cleaner fuels is essential but complex. New energy solutions must reduce emissions while remaining reliable, efficient, and affordable within existing infrastructure.
At the core of our work is advancing the fundamental understanding of how fuels burn and react. We focus on cleaner alternatives, including hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and sustainable aviation fuels. By combining advanced experiments with computational modeling, we study how these fuels behave under real-world conditions, helping identify pathways to reduce emissions without sacrificing performance.
Thawko: On a global scale, the transition to sustainable energy depends on solutions that are both scalable and practical. By improving the performance and reliability of alternative fuels, our research helps bridge the gap between promising ideas and real-world implementation. In doing so, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enabling cleaner energy systems worldwide.
For Israel, our research is especially important. As a country with limited natural resources and growing energy demands, Israel must rely on innovation to ensure both energy security and environmental sustainability.
Thawko: I was fortunate to receive support from Dr. David and Meira Ilfeld through the New Faculty Startup Support Fund, which enabled me to establish a research program at a level comparable to leading universities in the United States. This early investment was critical in building my laboratory and launching impactful research from the outset. It enabled us to recruit outstanding graduate students, who are central to our work, and it allowed us to pursue ambitious research directions, generate initial results, and compete successfully for additional funding and collaborations.
As a result, I secured more than $1.3 million in research funding within my first two years at the Technion, helping establish a strong and sustainable program.
Thawko: As a student, I benefited greatly from a supportive academic environment and opportunities to work with leading researchers and industry partners. These experiences were instrumental in building my confidence and preparing me for the next steps in my career.
This is why I believe supporting the Technion, especially through focused, purpose-driven initiatives, is so important. That support creates opportunities for students to explore, grow, and pursue ambitious goals. As a faculty member, it is especially meaningful to contribute to this environment and help support the next generation, completing a full circle from beneficiary to mentor.