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 Develop Smart Modeling of Olefin Furnaces
A faculty member of the Islamic Azad University’s Shiraz branch said that a project for intelligent modeling and optimizing the behavior of gas-feed and liquid-feed furnaces in the olefin unit of Jam Petrochemical Company is being implemented.
“In an active industrial project, I am currently working on intelligent modeling and optimizing the behavior of gas-feed and liquid-feed furnaces in the olefin unit of Jam Petrochemical Company, and the results of this industrial project can reduce the company's dependence on similar foreign software and save the company's foreign exchange resources,” Behzad Vaferi told ANA.
“My research focuses mainly on the application of different artificial intelligence methods in modeling and optimizing chemical processes, the environment, water and wastewater treatment, food and pharmaceutical industries, nanotechnology, and enhanced oil recovery. So far, the most important results of my research have been published in 91 articles in prestigious international journals,” he added.
“In the last three years (2023, 2024, and 2025), I have been selected as one of the top two percent scientists in the world, as ranked by Elsevier and a team from Stanford University,” Vaferi said.
NDI Technology Reduces Overhaul Time at South Pars Gas Field in Southern Iran
The head of technical inspection at the South Pars Gas Complex announced a significant reduction in the time and volume of overhauls by using new non-destructive inspection (NDI) technologies.
“In the first half of this year, the time for major repairs has been significantly reduced by using new NDI inspection methods and implementing continuous monitoring programs,” Alireza Barzegar said.
“This development plays a key role in maintaining the health of equipment and safe natural gas production. Non-destructive inspection allows for the accurate identification of equipment defects without stopping or damaging them, helping to reduce operational risks and increase the safety of employees and the environment,” he explained.
Noting that during this period, several technologies, including eddy current (ET), magnetic field testing (MFL), phased array and TOFD techniques, rope access thickness measurement, and gamma scanning, have been used to inspect key equipment, Barzegar said that the use of modern non-destructive inspection technologies is an effective step in ensuring the safety and continuity of the country's gas production.
"Inspections are carried out with careful planning, selection of appropriate techniques, and data analysis based on international standards, which helps in better service and smart planning for future repairs," he underlined.
Iran-Made Nano Products Boost Lifespan, Wear Resistance of Car's Brake Pads
Nanocoating of the car’s brake pad surface and nanostructured friction material are two technological products of an Iranian company that have increased the lifespan and durability and resistance of the pads to corrosion and reduced wear.
“These two technologies include nanocoating of the brake pad surface and nanostructured compounds in the friction material, which have reached the industrial production and final preparation stages, respectively,” said Mohammad Hassan Akhoundian, the marketing and sales manager of the company.
“The nano paint technology increases corrosion resistance and reduces the cost of the production process, and nanostructured compound technology increases the stability of braking performance at high temperatures,” he added.
Akhoundian explained that the companies’ specialists used reinforcing nanoparticles in the formulation of the new brake pads which increase the stability of braking performance in high temperature conditions, improve wear resistance and extend the product's lifespan.
“Also, the nano-structured paint and coating of the brake pad surface, in addition to greater resistance to corrosion and peeling, has reduced the final cost of painting due to better adhesion and lower consumption of raw materials,” he added.
Iranian Company Produces 1st Molecule of Drug to Reduce Kidney Transplant Rejection
The managing director of an Iranian knowledge-based company active in the pharmaceutical field announced the start of production of the first molecule of the drug ‘Sirolimus’ in the country which decreases the rate of kidney transplant rejection.
“This drug, which is prescribed in kidney transplants to reduce the body's immune system's reaction, was previously imported into the country, and its indigenization, in addition to saving $3.5 million, is considered an important step in the country's pharmaceutical self-sufficiency,” said Fazlollah Heydarnejad.
Noting that kidney transplant disease is very common in the country, and the human body usually reacts and rejects transplanted tissues when exposed to them, he said, “Therefore, the activity of the body's defense system should be reduced so that B and T lymphocyte cells decrease and the transplanted organ can adapt to the body and be recognized as a part of the body.”
Heydarnejad explained that the drug Sirolimus is prescribed after transplant surgery, adding, “When an organ enters the body, the body begins to attack it in a similar way to an antigen-antibody reaction, and the number of white blood cells increases, which results in damage to the connective tissue. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to reduce the number of lymphocytes.”
“This drug is used with corticosteroids and is not used alone. It is also used in combination with cyclophosphamide drugs, and is actually considered a type of combination therapy,” he said.
Iranian Ministries to Cooperate in Launching Rooftop Solar Power Plants
The Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy launched the development of small-scale solar power plants in 22 ministries by using the solar panels manufactured by the country’s knowledge-based companies.
The main idea of this plan is based on using the rooftops of homes, office, commercial and public buildings to install solar power generation systems. In this model, each household or building complex can provide part of its electricity consumption by installing small-scale systems — usually with a capacity of 3 to 5 kilowatts — and sell the surplus to the national grid.
This model, which has also been successfully implemented in many leading countries in the field of new energy such as Germany, Japan and China, not only reduces household costs, but also allows for the creation of sustainable income from the sale of electricity.
In Iran, the implementation of this plan has started in cooperation with the Iranian Renewable Energy and Electricity Efficiency Organization (SATBA) and in the form of the ‘Mehrsan’ system.
Officials said that the government intends to create nearly 1,000 megawatts of new solar power generation capacity by developing rooftop solar power plants nationwide. This amount is equivalent to the production of several large thermal power plants, with the difference that in this model, the infrastructure and environmental costs are much lower and the people themselves play a role in the implementation of the project as investors and operators.
Iran-Made Copper-Alumina Nanocomposite Increases Resistance in Welding Electrodes
An Iranian company used copper-alumina nanocomposites to boost resistance in welding electrodes.
Alireza Jaanabadi, the managing director of the company, elaborated on the company’s latest product, namely copper-alumina nanocomposite tips, saying that the nanocomposite structure used in the product has been able to provide a more stable and resistant alternative to conventional alloys in resistance welding.
He added that one of the most important challenges in conventional copper alloys is the loss of strength at high temperatures due to the softening of the crystal structure; however, in the new nanocomposite, aluminum oxide particles are distributed within the copper matrix in a way that prevents grain growth and structural changes due to heat, noting that this stability maintains mechanical properties even at high temperatures and increases the useful life of the electrode in production lines.
"In these types of alloys, strengthening occurs by adding or forming stable oxide particles, and unlike conventional alloys, oxide particles do not dissolve or grow within the structure. As a result, when the material is exposed to high temperatures, its mechanical strength will not significantly decrease," Jaanabadi said.
Iranians Manage Mass Propagation of Phalaenopsis Orchid Using a Novel Method
Researchers at University of Tehran’s Abureyhan Campus invented a new method for propagating Phalaenopsis Orchid using buds present on the flowering stems of the plant.
“To meet the increasing market demand, researchers have presented a cost-effective method for mass propagation of this plant through tissue culture. This method utilizes superior culture media and explants from flowering stem buds to produce new plants,” Shirin Dianati Deylami, a faculty member at the Abureyhan Campus, said.
She added that four high-performance culture media for orchid production were investigated, including: Vacin and Went (V&W) medium containing BAP hormone and coconut milk, new Japanese Dogashima (NDM) medium containing adenine sulfate, modified Hyponex/Kyoto medium containing BA hormone and potato extract, and modified half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS 1/2) medium containing peptone.
“By making changes to the mentioned culture media, the modified medium based on Hyponex/Kyoto, which produced an average of 17 plantlets with about 32 leaves from each stem node, showed the best performance among all culture media,” Deylami went on to say.
Iranian Researchers Identify New Parasite in Broiler Farms
Researchers at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of Tehran have succeeded for the first time in identifying a new species of Eimeria parasite in Iranian broiler chickens, a recent report said.
A group of researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tehran, guided by Dr. Jamshid Razmyar and Dr. Mostafa Peyghambari, succeeded in discovering a new species of parasite in Iranian broiler farms.
The report added that the discovery can pave the way for more precise control of Coccidiosis.
The newly-idtentified is caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Eimeria, the report said, adding, identification of Eimeria zaria in Iran is not only a scientific success but also an effective step toward improving poultry health, increasing the productivity of the poultry industry, and enhancing national food security.
The research was executed by Amirhossein Sharifi Moghadam (Specialized Ph.D. Student in Avian Health and Diseases), Amin Riahi (General Ph.D. Student in Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran), Mohammad Reza Rudaki Sarvandarani (Specialized Board Certified in Avian Health and Diseases, University of Tehran), and Azam Yazdani (Molecular Poultry Laboratory Expert, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran), under the guidance of Dr. Jamshid Razmyar and Dr. Seyed Mostafa Peyghambari, with consultation from Dr. Hesamoddin Akbarin (Faculty Member, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran), and in collaboration with the Sana Institute for Health and Avian Diseases.
Amirkabir University in Iran to Hold AI Training Course for Students
For the first time in Iran, the ‘Basics of Artificial Intelligence for Students’ training course is being held at the specialized training center of the faculty of electrical engineering of Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran.
“The Basics of Artificial Intelligence training course for students has been designed and implemented with the aim of familiarizing the new generation with the fundamental role of electrical engineering as the main pillar of this interdisciplinary knowledge, and fostering technological literacy at elementary ages,” said Ahad Tavakkoli, the president of the faculty of electrical engineering of Amirkabir University of Technology.
He explained that in this course, which was developed by researchers at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of Amirkabir University of Technology in collaboration with a group of teachers from Tehran schools and members of the Children's Book Writers Association, students learn problem-solving skills with computational logic.
“They learn to see each problem step by step like an algorithm, understand and organize data, draw conclusions from patterns, and make decisions according to instructions. This is what is known in global education as Computational Thinking,” Tavakkoli said.
“Also, students are introduced to technical engineering concepts like algorithms, data, machine learning, neural networks, machine vision, and natural language processing in simple, visual language,” he noted.
Iranian Company Produces Nano-Bumpers to Reduce Road Accident Injuries
Iranian experts at a knowledge-based company produced a lightweight, durable, and heat- and pressure-resistant product by using nano-compounds in a polymer substrate.
The product can be used as a bumper to reduce accident injuries, it can also be used in other industries like construction, urban furniture, and sports equipment production.
“Using nanotechnology, we have succeeded in producing resistant and shock-absorbing polymer granules that can be effective in reducing injuries caused by accidents. These foams absorb the energy from the impact and prevent it from being transferred to the passengers,” said Esma’eel Nouri, the managing director of the company.
Noting that these granules are placed under high pressure and temperature in reactor devices, and a saturation process is performed on them, he said, “Then, with a sudden drop in pressure, they are transformed into light and resistant foams. The final molding and curing of these foams is also done at customer sites so that the parts are ready to be installed on the vehicle.”
“This material is also used in the production of shock absorbers for domestic vehicles. It is also used in the packaging of temperature-sensitive drugs, as it prevents thermal changes and prevents the drug from spoiling during transportation,” Nouri said.
Iranian VP Unveils 3 Knowledge-Based Products in Bushehr Province
Iranian Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin unveiled three knowledge-based products at Bushehr’s Science and Technology Park in Southern Iran.
The first unveiled product was the ‘Seraj’ depth gauge, which was produced by a knowledge-based company. The device is used as an essential tool in all types of vessels (ships and boats), and its main task is to accurately measure the depth of the sea beneath the vessel. Knowing the depth is vital for the safe movement of vessels.
The second product was the IHHNV disease diagnosis kit, which was developed by another Iranian knowledge-based company. The kit is a direct response to one of the biggest threats to the country's sensitive aquaculture industry, specially shrimp farming in Southern Iran.
The third product which was unveiled is a Flame Simulator, which was produced by another knowledge-based company. The device plays a vital role in maintaining the safety of sensitive infrastructure. Flame detectors are one of the main tools for securing buildings and facilities against fire. To ensure the proper functioning of these detectors (both UV and IR), periodic and documented testing is required.
Cosmic Clocks Reveal Hidden Ripples in Spacetime
A new paper presents a method for distinguishing between different sources of nanohertz gravitational waves.
Pulsars may be revealing faint ripples in the fabric of the universe, ultra–low-frequency gravitational waves moving through space itself. Signals detected by international pulsar timing array collaborations in 2023 could point to one of two possibilities: a stochastic gravitational-wave background (the combined hum of countless distant sources) or a single, nearby pair of orbiting supermassive black holes. The results of the study have been published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (JCAP).
To distinguish between these scenarios, theoretical physicist Hideki Asada, Professor at Hirosaki University, and Shun Yamamoto, researcher at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, have proposed a new approach. Their method looks for beat phenomena that occur when gravitational waves of nearly identical frequencies interact, leaving subtle marks in the timing of pulsars’ radio pulses as they reach Earth.
The night sky is home to incredibly precise “cosmic clocks”: pulsars, dense, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit regular bursts of radio waves, ticking with remarkable consistency. Astronomers use radio telescopes on Earth to measure these pulses, both to study the pulsars themselves and to use them as natural instruments for exploring the structure of the universe.
If something unseen—almost a “cosmic ghost”—bends spacetime between a pulsar and Earth, the rhythm of its pulses subtly changes. These distortions are not random; they appear in coordinated patterns across multiple pulsars in certain parts of the sky, as if a giant ripple were passing through the cosmos.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firms to Introduce Latest Achievements at Uzbekistan Agricultural Expo
The pavilion of the Iranian knowledge-based companies will be set up at the International Agricultural Exhibition of Uzbekistan with the support of the Innovation and Prosperity Fund of Iran.
The International Agricultural Exhibition of Uzbekistan, known as AgroExpo Uzbekistan, is held annually in Tashkent.
Agricultural machinery (agricultural machinery and inputs, tractors and trailers, logistics, harvesting and post-harvest equipment, fertilizers, sprayers and spreaders, spare parts, cooling and cold storage, grain processing and storage), greenhouse horticulture (horticultural solutions, greenhouse construction, hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic methods, grow lights, greenhouse management), irrigation technologies (overhead irrigation systems, drip irrigation, pumps, water transfer, accessories for irrigation), primary processing (packaging, sorting equipment, cold room panels, printing and labeling, transportation of special goods), plant production (fertilizers and additives, plant breeding, seeds, machinery and equipment for plant protection, fruit and vegetable growing, special products), feed production (silos, feed containers and storage, milling systems, mixing and metering and feed additives, feeding technology for livestock and poultry), animal husbandry (housing Animals, livestock and poultry breeding, feed production and storage, veterinary medicine, milk and meat processing, livestock and poultry slaughter technologies), milking technology (milking facilities, automatic milking methods, milk containers and cooling facilities, cleaning and disinfection systems for milking facilities), are the main axes of this exhibition.
The 19th International Exhibition of the Agricultural Industry of Uzbekistan (AgroExpo Uzbekistan 2025) will be held in Tashkent on November 26 to 28.
Smart Fiber Optic Monitoring System Increases Resilience of Iran’s Nat’l Info Network
Iranian researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology succeeded in designing and building a smart fiber optic monitoring system which can increase the resilience of the national information network by utilizing indigenous technologies and smart algorithms.
“The smart fiber optic monitoring system is a tool for continuous monitoring of the health of fiber networks,” said Hamzeh Beiranvand, an associate professor at the faculty of Electrical Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology and the project manager for the development of a smart fiber optic monitoring system based on GIS information for fiber optic cables.
"Our goal was to reduce maintenance costs and increase the stability of communications. This system can intelligently identify fiber failures, pinpoint the exact location of the fault on the map, and detect the type of anomaly such as bending or improper connection with the help of artificial intelligence algorithms. As a result, frequent in-person visits to fiber routes will be eliminated and troubleshooting time will be significantly reduced,” he added.
Beiranvand explained that estimates have shown that using this system can reduce maintenance costs by up to 50 percent and significantly shorten troubleshooting time.
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