Who we are
Founded in 1991, the center is headed by professor Zvi Koren. The center conducts research with the help of Shenkar students. Most students are from the Department of Chemical Engineering, but other departments, including design departments, often contribute to its work as well.
Zvi Koren moved to Israel from New York in 1990 and joined Shenkar’s Department of Chemical Engineering. He has been an emeritus professor since 2020.
During his time at Shenkar, Koren has filled many roles, including head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and dean of students, and chaired various academic committees. He has conducted pioneering research in device-assisted chemical analysis (mostly chromatography and spectrometry) of ancient animal- and plant-based dyes. He is a world-leading scientific authority on royal purple dye, and especially on “tkhelet” and “argaman,” dyes mentioned in biblical texts. One of his discoveries was covered by The New York Times. He has also appeared on international television, given a TEDx talk, and presented his research at ASOR. The latter talks are available on YouTube.
Before moving to Israel, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and mathematics from Brooklyn College, as well as a PhD in physical chemistry from City University of New York. He also headed a department at the Copper Union College in Manhattan.
Our vision
Established by Dr. Sinai Edelstein (of blessed memory), the Edelstein Center is dedicated to the scientific research of museum, historical, and archaeological artifacts. The center uses advanced equipment to decipher ancient technologies and chemical processes related to the processing of natural materials, especially dyes. The center’s goal is to continue Shenkar’s interdisciplinary tradition of combining science and the humanities.
Our research
The center’s main research on natural dyes has led it to investigate the processing of natural materials — especially industrial waste — into industrially significant products. One such example is the processing of lemon and orange peels, waste from juice production, into valuable catalysts and ingredients used in medicine and cosmetics.
Projects and partnerships
Here are some of the center’s current projects:
1. Natural indigo: Finding a natural, sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to the indigo pigment used in the blue jeans industry.
Activities:
a. Identifying and quantifying pigments found in plant species endemic to various geographic regions using chromatographic and spectrometric methods.
b. Developing a rapid method for producing a plant-based indigo pigment.
This research is being conducted in partnership with other research institutions in Belgium, Japan, Mali (in western Africa), France, and Canada.
2. Fish skin dyeing: R&D on ecologically friendly dyeing of fish skins as part of the European FISHSkin project, in collaboration with CIRTex Shenker.
3. Inorganic pigments: Researching inorganic pigments using the non-destructive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method.
Conducted jointly with the conservation laboratory at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
4. Analyzing ancient dyed textiles from various eras.
5. Innovative catalysts: Using natural raw materials to create new industrial catalysts and products for various chemical industries.
In partnership with two departments at West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin in Poland — the Department of Catalytic and Sorbent Materials Engineering and the Department of Organic Chemical Technology and Polymer Materials.
6. Museum Conservation: Chemistry workshops for museum conservators.
Partnerships: The center works in partnership with the Israeli Society for the Conservation and Preservation of Cultural Property
Laboratories and equipment
The center has a laboratory with advanced equipment, including chromatography, spectrometry and microscopy.
Contact us
Email: zvi@shenkar.ac.il
Visit our website: www.edelsteincenter.wordpress.com
Emeritus Professor Zvi Koren
Expert in the application of advanced techniques for identifying pigments in ancient artifacts, director of the Edelstein Center, and department faculty member
