Top News of Last Week with ANA
Azad News Agency (ANA) published a number of scientific and technological news during the past week whose top ones are as follows:
Iranian Experts Manufacture Nano-Based Parts by Freeze-Casting Method
Iranian specialists at a knowledge-based company managed to produce industrial parts by using nanotechnology and the freeze-casting method.
The method uniforms the physical properties throughout the part, increases resistance to cracking and thermal shock, and improves the safety and durability of equipment in the country’s steel and copper industries.
“The production method of these parts, using nanotechnology and the freeze-casting process, creates uniform physical properties throughout the part,” said Zahra Minayee, the research and development expert of the company.
She explained that in conventional production methods, such as simple pressing, the physical properties of the part differ greatly from the surface to the center, so that the pressure applied to the surface is greater than the internal parts of the part, adding, “However, by using nanomaterials and the freeze-casting process, uniform pressure and pressing are created throughout the ceramic, and the properties of the part will be the same at all points.”
“This unique method causes the cracks created in the part to not have a specific growth path and pass through small cracks, thus increasing the resistance of the part to failure. Also, the produced parts have the characteristic of being crushed and pulverized, similar to tempered glass, which crumbles if broken, and the risks of failure are minimized,” Minayee said.
“The features resulting from nanotechnology and the freeze-casting method increase the safety, durability and optimal performance of refractory parts in the country’s steel and copper industries,” she underlined.
Iran to Implement Nat’l Program to Complete Production Chain of Regular Infant Formula
Iran called for completion of the production chain of regular infant formula with the support of organizations.
The program which is due to be implemented with the participation of the Headquarters for the Development of Science and Technology of Biology and Stem Cells, the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, the Innovation and Prosperity Fund, the Ministry of Health, Medical Education and the National Planning and Budget Organization is aimed at completing the production chain of regulator infant formula.
To achieve this national goal, the Innovation and Prosperity Fund has announced that it will directly invest in the completion of production infrastructure with qualified applicants. Companies and activists who apply for this joint investment must meet a set of conditions. These conditions include having a legal entity active in the field of producing the above or similar products in the dairy, pharmaceutical or health industries and having production infrastructure or being ready to invest quickly to develop infrastructure.
Infant formula, also called baby formula, is an ultra-processed food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder (mixed with water) or liquid (with or without additional water). The U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) defines infant formula as "a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk".
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Turns Petroleum-Based Waste into Fuel Oil
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company developed an innovative solution to prevent the landfilling of household and hospital waste by making a pyrolysis device and converting them into valuable fuel products.
“The device, called the pyrolysis device, is one of our achievements that can convert petroleum-based, household, hospital waste, and even industrial wastewater into fuel oil,” said Esmayeel Khataminejad, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
He explained that in this device, the waste is first converted into light and heavy hydrocarbons in a vacuum, and the residue of this process is black carbon, which has many applications in the chemical industry, adding, “After this stage, the obtained materials enter the distillation tower and are converted into Euro 5 gasoline, diesel, octane, and other products.”
“This device, with low electricity consumption and the use of special solvents, has been able to produce fuels of higher quality than the European models, because it is able to produce valuable products from carbon-containing waste without any waste. The device's linear burner is fed from the gas produced in the process itself, which is considered a technical innovation,” Khataminejad said.
101 Iranian Universities among Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026
The new results of the Times Higher Education World Rankings for 2026 shows that the number of Iranian academic centers on the list reached 101 universities.
The number was 85 in 2025, 75 in 2024, and only 63 in 2023.
Two Iranian universities, the University of Tehran and Sharif University of Technology, managed to stand among the top 500 universities in the world. Also, 12 other universities in Iran are ranked in the global 501-1000 range, including, Amirkabir University of Technology (501-600), Shiraz University of Technology (501-600), Noshirvani University of Babol (601-800), Golestan University (601-800), Isfahan University of Technology (601-800), Tarbiat Modarres University (601-800), Tabriz University (601-800), Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (801-1000), Khajeh Nasiruddin Tousi University (801-1000), Shahid Beheshti University (801-1000), Shiraz University (801-1000), and Urumiyeh University (801-1000).
Iranian Scientists Use Nanotechnology to Increase Growth of Valerian
A new study by Iranian researchers at the Islamic Azad University showed that using auxin growth regulator and nano-humic acid can significantly increase the dry weight of valerian leaves and roots.
In a new study by researchers at Azad University, using concentrations of 30 and 45 ppm of auxin and 6 grams per liter of nano-humic acid also improved the chlorophyll index and soluble sugar content of the plant. This finding could be an effective solution for increasing the production of indigenous Iranian medicinal plants.
Nano-humic acid improves root development and boosts the ability to absorb water and nutrients by increasing the contact surface of roots with the soil and strengthening the root system.
Biochemically, it has a direct impact on energy production in the plant by activating metabolic and enzymatic pathways, specially in the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. This produced energy is transferred to the roots to serve as a reserve resource, helping the plant to use these reserves to maintain its growth and performance in times of resource shortage.
Iranian Firm Produces Oral Nano-Iron Supplement with Vitamins A, D3
Iranian technologists at a company produced a nano-iron sachet for children that, in addition to providing the required iron, contains vitamins A and D3, which help the growth and development of the child's nervous and mental system.
Based on a report by Iran Nano & Micro Technologies Innovation Council (INIC), the iron in the Iran-made drops is in the sucrosomal form which enjoys higher digestive tolerance compared to other iron compounds and is more suitable for children with digestive problems such as celiac disease or intestinal inflammation.
Research shows that the sucrosomal form, in addition to reducing digestive complications, prevents tooth discoloration and darkening of the enamel of baby teeth which often worries the parents. Each milliliter of these drops contains 7 milligrams of elemental iron, and this amount can well meet the child's daily needs.
The presence of vitamins A and D3 in this product, in addition to helping the immune system health, also ensures the growth of bones and teeth. This multiple combination makes these drops not only help to eliminate iron deficiency anemia, but also play an effective role in children's mental development, learning, and neurological function.
Official: At Least 100 MW Capacity of New Renewable Energy Created in Iran Every Week
Alireza Parandeh Motlaq, the deputy head of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA), announced that every week between 100MW to 150MW of electricity generated by renewable energy is added to Iran’s power greed.
“The country's renewable power plant capacity has crossed the 2,300 MW, and over 60 percent of this capacity is from solar power plants and over 370 MW is from wind power plants, which play an important role in providing the country with reliable and sustainable electricity,” Parandeh Motlaq said.
He noted that based on SATBA's planning, between 100 and 150 MW of electricity from new renewable power plants are coming online every week, adding that while two years ago, the total capacity added during one year was about 120 MW.
“This trend shows that Iran’s move towards clean energy is accelerating,” Parandeh Motlaq stressed.
“In the first two weeks of the current month, 204 MW of new capacity has come online in 52 sites in twelve provinces. Meanwhile, two power plants with a total capacity of 52 MW and fully invested by the private sector have been put into operation in East Azerbaijan province,” he added.
Iranian Scientists Use Graphene Aerogel to Improve Battery Industry
Iranian researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology succeeded in increasing the lifespan and capacity of lead-acid batteries by developing a composite based on graphene aerogel.
“In this project, nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel along with zinc oxide nanoparticles was synthesized using a simple and cost-effective chemical reduction method,” said Arash Qazi Tabaar, a PhD graduate in Materials Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology and Assistant Professor at the Color Research Institute.
“The structure of this material has meso-macro porosity with a high specific surface area, which maximizes electrolyte permeability. Laboratory samples of batteries produced with this technology have shown longer lifespan and higher capacity compared to conventional batteries,” he added.
The innovation focuses on the use of 3D and nitrogen-doped graphene materials, which improve the conductivity and stability of electrodes, thereby enhancing battery performance under harsh operating conditions. Initial tests showed that samples made with this technology have higher durability and efficiency than conventional batteries.
This achievement can pave the way for upgrading the current generation of industrial batteries without the need for changes to production lines.
Iranian Firm Produces Special Drug for Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Technologists from a pharmaceutical company produced a specialized drug for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
Maryam Navabakhsh from the medical department of a pharmaceutical company announced the production of the drug Ofenib (Nintedanib) in two doses of 100 and 150 mg, saying, "Ofenib is a specialized drug for pulmonary fibrosis, the production of which is on the agenda of our company and has now entered the market.”
“Ofenib is used specifically for types of pulmonary fibrosis; including pulmonary fibrosis of unknown cause (idiopathic), pulmonary fibrosis associated with autoimmune diseases like systemic scleroderma and other forms of progressive pulmonary fibrosis for which there was previously little hope of treatment or patients were hospitalized in the ICU,” she added.
“Gastrointestinal complications are among the known complications of this drug, and appropriate monitoring and usage protocols must be followed by the treating physicians,” Navabakhsh said.
Eighty-Four Iranian Universities among ISC World Ranking
Eighty-four Iranian universities are standing among the top universities in Islamic states, up from eighty in 2023, in the Islamic World University Rankings (IWUR).
The latest report by the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) said that 552 universities from 35 Islamic countries are listed in the ranking, where Turkey, with 138 universities and Iran, with 84 universities, and Pakistan, with 50 universities, are placed first to third.
University of Tehran is placed among the top ten universities in Islamic nations, ranking sixth. The university ranks first in Iran.
Tehran University of Medical Sciences (11), Sharif University of Technology (17), Tarbiat Modares University (21), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (31), Amirkabir University of Technology (37), Isfahan University of Technology (40), Iran University of Medical Sciences (47), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (50), Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (53), and University of Tabriz (54) are placed second to ten in Iran.
Iranian Scientists Achieve Artificial Insemination Technology for ‘Arian’ Crossbreed of Roosters
An Iranian research team at the University of Tabriz achieved a cryo-diluent specific to the sperm of the Arian rooster and presented a solution for developing the technology for artificial insemination of the male part of the national Arian broiler chicken breed.
‘Study of the quality of sperm of the Arian crossbreed rooster under physiological conditions, refrigeration and freezing’ was the title of the postdoctoral project of the National Institute of Animal Sciences Research, which was carried out by Fatemeh Zareyee, under the guidance of Nader Asadzadeh, a member of the faculty of the University of Tabriz, and with the support of the National Science Foundation of Iran.
“Since the most important factor for success in artificial insemination of chickens is access to healthy and fertile sperm, conducting research on access to frozen rooster sperm for artificial insemination is definitely one of the most important necessities in the poultry industry. For this reason, many efforts have been made in recent years to optimize cryo-diluents in order to improve the quality of frozen sperm,” Zareyee said.
She added that the purpose of the research was to obtain a cryo-diluent specifically for Arian rooster sperm to provide a frozen sperm bank and expand artificial insemination technology in the Arian crossbreed, which fortunately was achieved.
Iran-Made Rigs, Compressors Used in Joint Oil, Gas Fields
Iran-made rigs and compressors were used in Azadegan and Yadavaran oil and gas fields which increased the share of domestic equipment up to 65%.
While Iran has more than 28 joint oil and gas fields with neighboring countries, the Ministry of Oil has announced that by the end of 1404, more than 65% of the equipment used in the development projects of these fields will be provided by domestic and knowledge-based companies.
According to an official report by the National Iranian Oil Company, last year, about 32 onshore rigs and four offshore rigs were active in the development operations of seven joint fields, including South and North Azadegan, Yadavaran, Yaran, Arvand, Forouzan, and Salman. Of these, 9 onshore rigs and one offshore rig were completely domestically built.
The oil ministry also announced that the capacity to manufacture 3,000 horsepower drilling rigs in the country has reached over four units per year, and now the National Iranian Drilling Company and three knowledge-based complexes in Ahvaz and Arak enjoy the capacity to produce, install, and fully operate these rigs.
Also, in the field of gas facilities, the Iranian knowledge-based companies have been able to bring the first centrifugal gas compressor with a capacity of 25 megawatts and a working pressure of 250 bars to the industrial stage.
Iranian Scientists Find New Yeast to Produce Biofuel
A member of the faculty of sciences at the University of Tehran identified a new yeast that both produces biofuel and cleans the environment.
In a new study by Hamid Moqimi, a faculty member of the University of Tehran, a yeast strain called Candidozyma haemuli EBL25 was identified that has a significant ability to produce lipids for the production of biofuel (biodiesel).
Moqimi pointed out that concerns about the consumption of fossil fuels and its impact on global warming have led researchers to investigate biofuels, and said, “This yeast produced 18.68 g/liter of biomass and 3.75 g/liter of lipids in a culture medium containing glycerol, and what is more interesting is the production of 22.97% lipids when using saponified wastewater as a raw material, which makes it a promising option for the production of biodiesel.”
"Analysis of the fatty acids of the lipids produced showed an ideal composition of 45.05% oleic acid, 18.77% linoleic acid, and 8.97% palmitic acid, which is very suitable for the production of biofuel," he added.
Noting that the yeast, in addition to producing lipids, also can produce biosurfactants (natural surface tension reducers), Moqimi said, “This strain was able to create an emulsification index of 45.45% for toluene and 55% for diesel and reduce surface tension to 41 mN m⁻¹. These properties were maintained even at high temperatures and alkaline pH, indicating that this yeast can be used for the biological purification of crude oil."
Iranian researchers at the University of Tehran in the Industrial Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts presented an indigenous model for designing technological physical products suitable for improving the quality of life of healthy Iranian elderly people.
The doctoral thesis of Marziyeh Elahdadi, a PhD student in Industrial Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran, was designed and completed under the guidance of Ali Faraji and Alireza Ajdari, the faculty members of the University. It is the first comprehensive indigenized model in Iran which can help improve the quality of life, maintain individual independence, and reduce pressure on the country's healthy elderly care system.
“The indigenous model presented in this thesis, while benefiting from global experiences and theories, pays attention to the needs, limitations, and priorities of healthy Iranian elderly people, and in this regard is considered the first comprehensive indigenous model in the country,” Faraji said.
“Implementing this model could lead to the design and production of products that are more adapted to the needs and abilities of older people, enhance their individual independence, and enable them to participate more actively in social life,” he added.
“Also, such products could reduce the pressure on families and care systems and help improve indicators of health and social well-being,” Faraji noted.
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