Draft:Shmuel Raviv

Shmuel Raviv (October 25, 1918 - April 1, 2002) was a French-Israeli scientist, inventor and entrepreneur in the field of physics and electrochemistry who spent most of his career at the laboratory. He is best known for a series of experiments in renewable energy contributing to determination of electrolytic-thermal decomposition of water and for his pioneering studies in metal processing that led to the development of numerous electrochemical inventions. Raviv was a member of the French Chemical-Physical Association, one of the founders of the Shimon Peres Nuclear Research Center in the Negev, a member of Israel Atomic Energy Commission and a founder of Limat Electrochemical Metal Polishing Company.. .

Education
Shmuel Raviv was born as Szmuel Reznik in Slonim (then part of Russia, now in Belarus) on October 25, 1918. He received his upbringing and education in Slonim until he relocated to France. In 1940, he settled in Clermont-Ferrand and later obtained French citizenship in 1948. Raviv completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Strasbourg, where he earned a degree in physical chemistry. He then pursued his graduate studies in engineering at the Faculty of Electrochemistry and Electro-metallurgy Faculty of Grenoble. After four years in the program, he continued his academic journey at the Science Faculty of Paris, where he successfully obtained his Ph.D. in electrochemistry. Professor Paul Pascal served as his doctoral advisor, and his thesis committee included chemist Pierre Jolibois and physician Eugène Dramois.

Industrial activities
Raviv began working as a research director at Christofle's laboratory in 1945 and continued his tenure there while pursuing his graduate studies. His initial focus lay in the realm of industrial and applied research in the field of surface treatments for metals.

In 1949, Raviv immigrated to Israel and took on the role of manager at the "Michsef" factory. After a few years, he joined Israel Mining Industries Ltd as the manager of the chemical department, where he developed an electrolytic process for the production of manganese and bromine.

Nuclear activities
In 1958, he changed his last name to "Raviv" and joined the founding team of the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, after being recruited by Ernst David Bergmann, the father of Israel's nuclear program. Raviv served as a member of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission and took charge of the chemical laboratories in the center, focusing on research and development. Through his research and development efforts, Raviv aimed to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of production processes, as well as mitigate the environmental impact of radioactive contamination. The electrochemistry played a vital role in tackling these challenges and finding innovative solutions for the benefit of the nuclear research field and beyond.

During that period, Raviv authored a book titled "Double Couche " on interfacial corrosion. Additionally, he filed patents and published numerous studies in international science journals, which have undergone thorough reviews by the scientific and industrial community. His research paper and thesis were periodically referenced in Nuclear Science Abstracts by the USAEC, providing valuable insights to US government managers, National Laboratories, and Technology Centers.

Renewal energy activities
Later, Raviv dedicated himself to the creation of a private laboratory where he focused on studying the decomposition reactions of water, hydrocarbons, and complex salts. His research primarily centered around electrolytic-thermal processes, investigating the kinetics and thermodynamics involved. He developed a method and apparatus for electrolytic-thermal decomposition of water, resulting in the production of hydrogen and oxygen gases. By interrupting the current flow between the anode and cathode, a mixture of gases is released, which can be recovered and ignited to generate a hydrogen flame. The energy obtained from this process enables water decomposition and offers potential for interphase energy or cold fusion production

Entrepreneurship career
In 1971, Raviv retired from the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center and, in partnership with Kibbutz Givat Haim Meuchad, founded Limat, a company specializing in advanced surface-treatment technology based on his own invented process. Known as the Raviv Process, it offers a wide range of applications for various metals and alloys. The company manufactures customized machines tailored to specific process requirements and provides the necessary chemical compositions. The Raviv Process can effectively descale, deburr, etch, polish, and/or passivate surface structures, and can be adapted to treat items of any size, thickness, dimension, or complexity. Over the years, the technology has been employed in numerous industries, including food processing (pipes and accessories), cutlery, surgical needles, hollow-ware and kitchen-ware production, automotive accessories, watch manufacturing, and more

Throughout his career, he conducted numerous pioneering studies that led to the development of more than 30 patents for advanced technological processes. These processes have found extensive applications across various industries, leaving a lasting impact in the realms of renewable energies and metal treatment.

Personal life
Samuel Raviv was married to Deborah Wilman and the couple had two children, one of whom is CEO Boaz Raviv. Raviv is the nephew of Professor Moses Kunitz known for his contribution to determination that enzymes are proteins.

Related articles

 * "From Laboratory to Industry: Unveiling the Portrait of a Scientist Turned Industrial Magnate", Matimuf, Official bulletin of Innovation Authority, Vol. I, n° 2, January 1977 (in Hebrew)
 * Raviv Process a new and more effective treatment for metallic surfaces", Plasma Technology Limited
 * Introduction, Overview presentation, LIMAT Limited