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 Researcher Produce Nano Multi-Vitamin Supplements
A team of Iranian researchers have developed nano multivitamin supplements that can be absorbed into the body very quickly in a matter of seconds.
Iranian Researchers produced multivitamin nano supplements that are completely absorbed by the body in 20 seconds in spray forms and in less than five minutes in softgel forms on the skin.
Mohammad Mahdi Ochi, a PhD in nanotechnology from the University of Tehran explained about their project about production of nano multivitamin supplements as one of their research team’s products and said, “We have designed ultrasonic homogenizer for disposition of nanomaterials which is in the manufacturing stage and with it we have been able to produce multivitamin nano supplements.”
He said that ultrasonic homogenizers produces liquid nanoparticles used in industries such as food, pharmaceutical, chemical and paint making industries.
“This nano supplement is produced in such a way that vitamins in which non-nanomeric that are added in the form of membrane are put inside a liposomal nanocapsule to improve its absorption in the body,” the researcher explained.
Stating that these materials can be used on the surface of the skin in their softgel fomat, Ochi added, “The formulation of this nano supplement is designed in such a way that it will be completely absorbed by the skin in five minutes.”
Iranian Engineers Manufacture Smart Explosion-Proof Loaders for Underground Mines
A group of engineers from a knowledge-based company designed and manufactured smart loaders without batteries for underground tunnels which can carry out loading and unloading the materials in three directions with high efficiency.
“These loaders can be used to create underground tunnels and mining. The hot testing on the device has been carried out inside a tunnel and it is ready to be used in mines,” said Engineer Shahed Shirin, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
He added that dimensions and sizes of the new loaders are different from other samples existing in the market and it can be used in small mines with very high carrying capacity, noting that the smart loader can perform the unloading process from the front side, left and right.
Shirin underlined that the loader is explosion-proof, adding that Germany is a leading country in making such loaders, “and our product can compete with foreign models in terms of quality, and we can also compete with Chinese models in terms of price”.
Iran Launches Geomatics Observatory for Surveying
A geomatics observatory has been set up in Iran with the aim of surveying different fields in the country.
The headquarters for developing space technologies and advanced transport unveiled the geomatics observatory during the second international exhibition of Iran Geo which was held in Tehran on January 29-February 1.
Geomatics is the discipline concerned with the collection, distribution, storage, analysis, processing, and presentation of geographic data or geographic information.
The discipline of Geomatics encompasses the fields of surveying, mapping, remote sensing (Laser Scanning), photogrammetry, hydrography, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and many more.
"Native Positioning System", "Native Aerial Photogrammetry System", "Native GIS Engine" and "Geomatics Observatory" were unveiled during the event.
A team of Iranian researchers have developed a new three-way catalyst (TWC) for reducing pollution from vehicles and motorbikes.
Engineers of the Iranian company have achieved the formulation of three-way catalysts for motorcycles and vehicles, which can convert the exhaust emissions of these vehicles into harmless substances.
Laden Kamalzadeh, the director of research and development that Iranian factory told Iranian media that the three-way catalyst they produced in their company are used for both cars and motorcycles.
According to the researcher, the three-way catalysts convert hydrocarbon pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to harmless or less harmful gases such as carbon dioxide (CO.)
Kamalzadeh stated a lot of motorcycle factories get their needed catalysts from their company in order to meet the emissions standards. Meanwhile, she said their company has yet to launch the mass production of the catalysts.
“During their lifetime, these catalysts reduce up to 90% of exhaust emissions from the engine,” Kamalzadeh said.
She considered the useful life of three-way catalysts which meet the Euro 4 standard to be 100,000 km and according to the Euro 5 standard to be 160,000 km.
Iran-Made Raman Spectrometer Using Monochromatic Laser Light Unveiled
A Raman spectroscopy device that provides information about the chemical structure of substances was manufactured by an Iranian knowledge-based company.
Raman spectroscopy is a versatile, nondestructive technique that yields detailed information about the chemical structure.
Raman spectrometers probe materials using monochromatic laser light, usually at visible or near-infrared wavelengths.
When a sample is illuminated, most of the light is scattered without a change in energy—this is termed Rayleigh scattering.
However, a small proportion of photons is scattered with a loss or gain of energy to molecular vibrations—this phenomenon is termed the Raman effect or Raman scattering.
Raman device includes components such as a monochromatic light source, lenses, filters, detector, and computer system.
Iranian Firm Develops Software to Detect Defects in Power Transmission Lines
Researchers at a knowledge-based company in Iran developed a practical software to find defects in the power transmission lines.
“We have developed a software that is able to detect more than 80 types of faults in power transmission lines,” said Zahra Attari, a representative of the knowledge-based company.
Noting that identification of defects in power transmission lines by this software is carried out via using artificial intelligence algorithms, she said, “The software will provide operators with a complete report of defects in power plants after troubleshooting and monitors power towers in a short period of time, finding the faults accurately.”
Attari said that at present, regional electricity companies and Iran Power Generation and Transmission Company (TAVANIR) are using this software.
Iranian Oceanology Research Center Unveils Persian Gulf Ecosystem Atlas
The Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science unveiled an atlas for the Persian Gulf ecosystem.
Morteza Tavakoli, the head of the Institute, said that the environmental atlas of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is the result of data collection and environmental studies in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
He added that the research institute has various scientific, cultural, and promotional plans in the field of marine and oceanic sciences.
The Persian Gulf is a valuable water body in terms of ecosystem and biodiversity but has been affected severely by different factors, including oil pollution, extraction, and transportation.
The extreme salinity and temperature fluctuations of the Persian Gulf water have created unique marine and coastal ecosystems.
Iran-Made Smart Irrigation System Saves 50% in Water Consumption
An Iranian startup stationed at the incubator center of Islamic Azad University’s Science and Research branch produced a smart irrigation system which saves 50% in water consumption in farms.
The smart system measures the soil moisture with a moisture meter sensor which makes possible the automatic irrigation of the desired trees and plants (by considering the desired moisture range of any tree or plant, the desired amount of water and the desired time) manually (through sending SMS or missed call) or by using the technology of Internet of Things.
“Smart irrigation with Internet of Things enjoys the capability to activate or deactivate the system with a cell phone anywhere in the world, it can automatically collect data from satellite and order watering or canceling it by using the artificial intelligence,” Rezayee, the manager of the startup, told ANA.
He described real-time monitoring of soil moisture and informing the user as another advantage of this system.
“Compared to similar systems, this product saves 50% of water and does not require the presence of manpower to irrigate gardens and fields, and its price is lower than its counterparts,” Rezayee said.
Iranian Firm Produces Special Firefighting, Drilling, Construction Foams
A knowledge-based company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of Kermanshah University in Western Iran for the first time in the country produced construction, firefighting and drilling foams with applications in oil industry.
“Three types of firefighting foam (liquid foam), foam concrete and drilling foam are produced in our company which are used for different purposes,” said Issa Mohammadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
Noting that firefighting foams are produced in two different types, he said that the protein-based type is used for heavy fires like diesel and oil fires, and the chemical type is used for light fires such as airplane gasoline, etc.
“This product enjoys the power to create a water layer, and when it is sprayed on the fire, even if the foam is destroyed, the water layer remains and quickly extinguishes the fire,” Mohammadi said.
He described foam concrete as another product of his company, and said, “This foam replaces pumice stone in buildings which is lighter and is considered as a good insulator for heat.”
Iraq Exports over 100 Million Barrels of Crude Oil in January
Iraq exported about 101.24 million barrels of crude oil in January, generating 7.69 billion US dollars in revenue, the country's oil ministry announced.
The average price for Iraqi crude oil in January was 75.96 dollars per barrel, Iraqi oil ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil.
About 98.46 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, while more than 2 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said.
Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February last year, benefiting Iraq and other oil-exporting countries. However, the prices witnessed a decline in the past few months because of fears of lower demand for oil in global markets.
Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more than 90 percent of the country's revenues.
Iranian Company Develops Software for Determining Granularity of Mineral Stones
An Iranian knowledge-based company developed software able to determine the granularity of mineral stones.
The company’s web-based software was designed and produced to determine the granularity of mineral stones in the shortest possible time and with high accuracy.
Optimal and appropriate crushing is an important factor for a successful explosive operation which naturally can reduce the overall cost of producing at a mine to a minimum.
Image analysis is the most common method for evaluating crushing and determining fire patterns (one of the production stages in open and open-air mines) due to the low operating cost and time.
Various measures have been taken in different places in order to determine the granularity of the crushed stone mass using image analysis software.
Iranian Inventor’s Vertical Hydro Turbine with Lift-and-Drag Blades Patented Internationally
A member of Azad University's Young and Elite Researchers Club succeeded in inventing a device that generates electricity in simple wavesو irregular seas and in any direction.
The idea of making a vertical water-based turbine with lift-and-drag blades by Mohsen Seifi Davari, an elite member of the Young and Elite Researchers Club of Islamic Azad University’s Ardabil branch, was registered internationally (IFIA).
“The vertical water-based turbine device with lift-and-drag blades is made to produce electrical energy in the seas, oceans and the coasts. It can be used for industrial and non-industrial purposes,” Seifi Davari told ANA.
“The turbine can make a one-way turn regardless of the spatial direction that the flow passes from rotor. Such unique behavior of the rotor is perfect for generating energy from ocean waves,” he added.
Knowledge-Based Firm in Iran Produces Ceramic Filters Resistant to High Temperature, Shock
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company made a new type of ceramic filters applied in the foundry industry, which is resistant to high temperature up to 1,100 degrees Celsius, and can be used for filtration of hot corrosive materials.
“Ceramic filters, which have a gray appearance, are mainly used for filtering gray grass and ductile. They meantime can be used for non-ferrous metals due to their high temperature resistance,” said Sediqeh Mohebbi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
“The percentage of porosity and the size of the holes in this product has been designed in a way that it prevents the entry of slag, materials which have reacted with the cast metal, and sand particles into the mold, and this process leads to the slow flow of melt while filling the mold,” she added.
Mohebbi noted that in addition to reducing costs caused by defected parts, the ceramic filters decrease the size of duct systems and, as a result, simplify its design.
Iranian Company Produces Solar-Powered Air Purifiers
Iranian researchers have produced air purifiers which are recharged by simply putting them in the sunlight.
Iranian researchers have unveiled air purifiers that are capable of removing odors and environmental pollutants while they can be recharged without the need for electricity and only by solar power.
“These filters are produced based on two materials, one is able to absorb all kinds of air pollutants and the other material in this filter decomposes the pollutants,” Fatemeh Esmaeili, a member of the research team that manufactured the device said.
Explaining how the air purifier works, she added, “The nano material used in this purifier has pores that when it is exposed to pollutants, the pollutants are placed on these pores and through this process, the pollutants are eliminated.”
Esmaeili said that being anti-odor is one of the other characteristics of their device saying that this air purifier can remove bad smell if it is placed in closed places such as refrigerators and shoe racks.
Stressing that nano materials are used in the air purifier, the researcher continued, “These materials can detect pollutants and decompose them into water and carbon.”
4155/v
