Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Advances Micro-Nano Technologies for Medical and Aerospace Applications

Milad Gharouni, Technology Director of an Iranian knowledge-based company, stated that the core focus of the company’s activities is the development of technology and the manufacturing of advanced electronic devices and sensors based on micro- and nano-fabrication technologies.

He noted that the company’s products cover a broad spectrum of applications, including health-monitoring sensors, laboratory and medical sensors, as well as pharmaceutical and cosmetic patches.

Gharouni identified the company’s micro-fabrication equipment as one of its major technological achievements, explaining that it includes photolithography systems for pattern transfer, thin-film deposition tools, and etching equipment for layer removal.

These machines operate in cleanroom environments and play a critical role in the production of microelectronic devices, sensors, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and other advanced technologies.

He also introduced atomic force microscope (AFM) probes as another key achievement of the company, noting that these components are essential and consumable parts of AFM systems.

AFM probes consist of three main parts: the body, the cantilever, and the tip. Atomic force microscopy is widely used to investigate the surface structure and properties of materials at the nanometer scale and, unlike many other techniques, does not impose limitations on the type of surface or the sample environment.

According to Gharouni, AFM enables the examination of conductive or insulating surfaces, soft or hard materials, as well as biological and inorganic samples. Measurable parameters include surface morphology, adhesion distribution, friction, elasticity, magnetic properties, electrical polarity, chemical bond strength, and surface charge distribution. In practical applications, these capabilities are used to evaluate properties such as corrosion, cleanliness, uniformity, roughness, and surface adhesion.

Explaining the operating principle of atomic force microscopy, he said that surface images are formed based on the interaction forces between the probe tip and the sample. A sharp tip, approximately 2 micrometers in length and less than 100 angstroms in diameter, is mounted on a highly elastic micro-cantilever.

The opposite end of the cantilever is connected to a piezoelectric actuator that enables motion with nanometer-scale precision. As the tip scans the surface, variations in topography cause deflections in the cantilever, which are recorded by an optical detector to generate a detailed topographical map of the surface. To enhance light reflection, the backside of the cantilever is typically coated with gold or aluminum.

The company’s Technology Director also highlighted the design and fabrication of micro- and nano-sensors for measuring physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and gas concentration as another major accomplishment. He emphasized that these sensors offer high sensitivity and accuracy and are widely used in sectors including healthcare, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and environmental monitoring.

He added that micro-sensors are often integrated with microelectronic systems and signal-processing units to provide real-time data and enable applications based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). Notably, some of the company’s laboratory sensors are manufactured by only four to five companies worldwide, due to the highly advanced microchip-based fabrication processes required for their production.