Prof. Shacham is the head of the department of electrical engineering- physical electronic at Tel-Aviv University, the founder of the Microtechnology TAU lab and previous head of the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology center at TAU. He specializes in nano interconnects and Nano-Bio interface. A founder of three start up companies based on TAU developed technology. Main research topics: bio-sensors, water toxicity, cancer cell identification, protein surfaces, nanoelectrodes for human brain applications, MEMS applications, ULSI interconnects, and Nano-bio interfacing – whole cell biochips, interfacing methods for lab-on chip with optical or electrochemical signals.

Q. Can you envision major developments in your field that could be considered as wild cards that are particularly relevant to the EU research and/or may dramatically affect the ERA vision?

I can envision several significant developments:

Remote sensors used for active manipulation, biological sensors as stand alone decisive creatures, electrode needles coated with various, and "smart dust" sensors for various applications.

All the above are extremely relevant to the EU public health, homeland security, of life and survival of minor and major ethnic groups and countries.

The remote sensing could detect and prevent poisoning of water, chemical pollution, etc.

Electrode needles coated with various substances could be applied for medical care, but also could be abused as weapons.

The remote sensing and remote manipulation could identify or detect various DNA and create a reaction or various activation accordingly. Dust of needle electrodes could be combined with remote sensing as activation or manipulation factors.

Q. What will be the dramatic impact of the developments you mentioned, and how it should be addressed by future research? In which field?

The dramatic impact could be loss of control, for example, of the sensor activities.

Once the sensor could be abused and activated to change its mode of sensing or even to alter the environment – it could cause a real harm. It could badly affect the human being everyday life as well as causing harm to human body and its surroundings. It may cause a broad range of security issues: personal security, homeland security as well as security at the EU level.

Q. What are the weak signals that (if detected) could hint at a growing likelihood (or imminent realization) of the wild cards that you mentioned?

Actual demonstration of technologies capabilities such as DNA and Protein Chips manipulation, remote manipulation of sensors, massive grouping of sensors, creation of "dust" nanoelectrodes, nanoneedles electrodes.

Q. What are the related topics that should be given top priority in the EU research?

Regulation and control of sensors and sensing machines at the human environment, DNA manipulation, air pollutants at the broad band.