Petram Wins $40,000 Merage Challenge for Electric Rock-Breaking Tech

Petram was selected from dozens of global applicants by Creation-Space, an innovation platform based in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. The company’s proprietary high-power electric pulse (HPEP) system utilizes shockwaves to fragment rock without the noise, vibration, or chemical hazards associated with conventional mining and demolition methods. Originally developed through NASA-funded research at Auburn University, the technology is already being integrated into electric construction vehicles for terrestrial use.

Beyond the cash award provided by the Jonathan Merage Foundation, Petram gains access to Creation-Space’s innovation ecosystem, which includes testing facilities and partnerships with firms such as Shapir Engineering and Industry Ltd. and Meitar Law Offices. The competition focused on solving critical bottlenecks in extreme environments, specifically targeting autonomous navigation and material removal. According to Dr. Roy Naor, CEO of Creation-Space, the goal is to bridge the gap between immediate commercial needs in the $2 trillion space economy and large-scale terrestrial industries like geothermal energy and urban infrastructure.

Petram’s approach aligns with the "dual-value" strategy championed by Creation-Space, which prioritizes ventures capable of solving current industrial problems while building the foundations for lunar and Martian habitats. As the company continues to scale its Mjolnir product line, the focus remains on leveraging this precision excavation capability to enable radiation-shielded subsurface tunneling for future planetary settlements.