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 Medical Equipment Company Produces Surgical Stapler
An Iranian company managed to manufacture a surgical stapler that is used instead of sutures to close skin wounds during surgery.
A stapler or surgical stapler is a device that is used to fasten a wound by placing surgical staple clips on the skin or internal tissues.
Surgical staplers are used for transection, resection, and the creation of anastomosis.
Staplers have a high accuracy and speed of operation in closing the wounds of patients, especially in internal surgeries such as stomach and intestines surgery.
They also have much better results in operations that are in the cosmetic area.
Staplers can reduce surgical time, tissue trauma, anesthesia time, and the possibility of infection.
Technological Firm in Iran Produces Herbal Detergents with No Chemicals
A knowledge-based company stationed at the incubator center of the technological units of Islamic Azad University’s Yasouj branch in Western Iran succeeded in production of completely organic and herbal detergents without using any chemicals.
“The products of this company are made with plant extracts enriched with essential vitamins and proteins needed for the body and essential oils of medicinal plants based on the principles of green chemistry with high antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and the least consumption chemicals which cause inflammation and dry skin like parabens, sulfates and silicone,” Mehravang Qa’edi, the managing director of the company, told ANA.
Noting that detergents and cosmetics produced in Iran and the world contain chemicals, they are carcinogenic and cause various diseases in the communities, she stressed that they can be replaced with herbal and organic product.
Qa’edi said that the production line of essential oils, extracts, teas and vegetable oils will also be launched by her company in the near future.
Generating Power with Blood Sugar
A team of researchers at ETH Zurich developed an implantable fuel cell that uses excess blood sugar (glucose) from tissue to generate electrical energy.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. This means that patients have to obtain the hormone externally to regulate their blood sugar levels. Nowadays, this is mostly done via insulin pumps that are attached directly to the body. These devices, as well as other medical applications such as pacemakers, require a reliable energy supply, which at present is met primarily by power from either single-use or rechargeable batteries, the journal Advanced Materials reported.
Now, a team of researchers led by Martin Fussenegger from the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel have put a seemingly futuristic idea into practice. They have developed an implantable fuel cell that uses excess blood sugar (glucose) from tissue to generate electrical energy. The researchers have combined the fuel cell with artificial beta cells developed by their group several years ago. These produce insulin at the touch of a button and effectively lower blood glucose levels much like their natural role models in the pancreas.
"Many people, especially in the Western industrialised nations, consume more carbohydrates than they need in everyday life," Fussenegger explains. This, he adds, leads to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. "This gave us the idea of using this excess metabolic energy to produce electricity to power biomedical devices," he says.
At the heart of the fuel cell is an anode (electrode) made of copper-based nanoparticles, which Fussenegger's team created specifically for this application. It consists of copper-based nanoparticles and splits glucose into gluconic acid and a proton to generate electricity, which sets an electric circuit in motion.
Iranian Scientists Striving to Find Solutions to ‘Cloud Theft’, ‘HAARP’ Phenomena
Iranian researchers at the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran are studying the ionosphere layer of Iran by developing an ion sounding radar to give scientific answers to the phenomena like ‘stealing clouds’ and ‘HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program)’.
“We have indigenized the ion sounding radar that existed in Iran and was decommissioned and old since 2006, under the name of ‘Ilya IS110’. following producing the radar, we manged to obtain information of the ionosphere layer,” said Maryam Hosseinzadeh, an expert at a knowledge-based company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran.
Noting that the information obtained from this device is used in hydrometeorology, earthquake, defense, and aerospace studies, she said, “The data can also be used to study phenomena like HAARP and stealing clouds.”
“This device has been monitoring the ionosphere layer 24 hours a day since January 2022, and its minimum monitoring altitude is 1,200 km,” Hosseinzadeh noted.
Acylhydrazone-Based Polymers: Key to Greater Crop Yields?
A research team from the University of Birmingham has discovered a group of acylhydrazone-based polymers, which may be critical in encouraging bacteria to form growth-promoting ecosystems.
The bacteria generated from these synthetic polymers could potentially be utilised to coat the roots of plant seedlings, which would result in stronger, healthier plants, and higher crop yields in agriculture, the Innovation News Network reported.
Tim Overton, an Applied Microbiologist from Birmingham University’s School of Chemical Engineering, and Francisco Fernandez-Trillo from the School of Chemistry collaboratively led a research team during this experiment. Their intention was to develop novel synthetic polymers that stimulate the formation of these bacterial communities, in a way that mirrors a natural process known as biofilm formation.
This project was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through their Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership.
Scientists have observed that the roots of seedlings typically form relationships with communities of microbes (fungi, bacteria, viruses) in soil. These relationships tend to be mutually beneficial as they exchange nutrients, which allows both the plant and the microbes to thrive. This process is considered crucial in the early stages of a plant’s life, when the seedling is in a race against time to reach self-sufficient growth, before the nutrients and energy stores in the seed deplete.
Visual Identification of Impurities in Liquid Drugs Possible via Using Iran-Made Kit
An Iranian knowledge-based company has developed a special kit for the visual identification of impurities in liquid drugs.
Mojtaba Seyedi, one of the researchers of the project, said that the kit which is mainly used by drug production plants has thus far been procured via import.
He further added that identification of pharmaceutical impurities in the drug development process had been actually aimed to fully show the chemical structures of unknown pharmaceutical impurities present in either drug substances or drug products above a particular threshold.
The researcher went on to say that the impurity present in a drug can affect its quality and thus its efficiency, it is, therefore, crucial to know about impurities.
Seyedi said that it is very important for drug manufacturers to know whether any impurities have entered the glass vials during the drug development process.
He underscored that the produced drug must be free of any impurities. In the process of drug production, some impurities may enter the drugs in the form of liquid or solid, but the identification of these impurities is very important for manufacturers.
Seyedi said that a simple way to find solid impurities in the drug is to examine it using a magnifying glass or by placing the vials in front of a light source. Of course such a way can make problem for the eyes.
"For this purpose, the designed kit, in addition to magnification, shines a light from the back of the vial, which illuminates only a part of the light that passes through the vial," he added.
Using Machine Learning to Discover Highly Selective Catalysts
Researchers at the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung have used a chemical synthesis robot and computationally cost-effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to predict and validate highly selective catalysts successfully.
AI has recently made headlines due to ChatGPT’s language processing capability. Creating a similarly powerful tool for chemical reaction design remains a significant challenge, especially for complex catalytic reactions, the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition reported.
To overcome this, the researchers created a Machine Learning method that utilises advanced and efficient 2D chemical descriptors to accurately predict highly selective asymmetric catalysts without requiring quantum chemical computations.
“There have been several advanced technologies which can predict catalyst structures, but those methods often required large investments of calculation resources and time, yet their accuracy was still limited,” said Nobuya Tsuji, a joint first author of the study. “In this project, we have developed a predictive model which you can run even with an everyday laptop PC.”
For a computer to learn chemical information, molecules are usually represented as a collection of descriptors, which often consist of small parts, or fragments, of those molecules. These are easier for AI to process and can be arranged and rearranged to construct different molecules, much like Lego pieces can be placed and connected in various ways to build other structures.
Iranian Researchers Produce a Multi-Component Oxide Catalyst Using Spray Pyrolysis Method
Tehran-based Amirkabir University of Technology’s researchers designed and developed spray pyrolysis method to produce catalysts that have advantages over other catalysts available in the market.
“The purpose of implementing this project was to produce a catalyst with a new composition (oxide catalysts containing lanthanum, nickel and manganese) in a new way (spray pyrolysis method),” said Amirhossein Shahnazi, a graduate from the Tehran-based Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT )and the executive director of the project "Studying Spray Pyrolysis Process Variables and Chemical Composition on the Morphology and Catalytic Properties Of Perovskite in the Methane Reforming Process," which was carried out under the supervision of Sadegh Firouzi, a professor at the highly prestigious university, according to AUT public relations department.
According to the researcher, this production method has led to an improvement in the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst such as its efficiency and an increase in its lifespan.
“This method is based on results of a research done by one of the AUT's PhD graduates under the title of ‘production of nickel catalysts based on alumina’. Finally, the research led to the production of multi-component oxide catalysts containing lanthanum, nickel and manganese elements," he further said.
Shahnazi noted that for the industrialization of their project, it seems that we have a long way ahead because this research is based on the use of rare soil components, which are still not available in the industry due to their scarcity and high expenses.
“The method of producing catalysts, their chemical composition and their microstructural properties are among innovative scientific contributions, findings of which have been published in several articles in scietific journals,” he further said.
Iranian Researchers Develop Off-Grid Water System to Transfer Water to Remote Areas
Iranian engineers have developed a system to pump water to remote areas without the need for electricity.
“This system is designed to solve the problem of excessive consumption and wastage of water, reduce the consumption of electrical energy, use greywater, reducing the volume of water consumed in the treatment plants and the cost of energy in the pumps,” said Ahmed Yazerlu, the executive director of the project to produce a system to pump water without any need to electricity.
He said that the off-grid system operates with compressed air or air pressure.
“This system puts the 5-liter tank under 50 atmospheric pressure by means of a pump and compressed air production. The volume of tank pressurization system depends on the number of times of use and the volume of water storage,” he explained about how their water pump system works.
“Almost 0.8 bar of pressure is needed for every emptying of the water tank, which is gained by 12 pumping times, and after the pressure rises, the gas valve of the air outlet is opened so that the air is pressed into the water tank under air pressure, then the water in the tank is transferred to the favored area,” Yazarlu explained more.
According to the researcher, this system can be used in areas where there is no electricity and it can be used for pumping water from springs to reservoirs or for irrigation use by farmers and also herders, and in remote villages and tourist resorts, etc.
He also said that the system can pump greywater for industrial uses to cool off machinery.
"According to the hydraulic system used in this device, it is possible to supply the output water flow rate and required pressure up to 50 atmospheres, something that is almost impossible in horizontal centrifugal pumps," he said.
Producing Anti-Fungal, Anti-Bacterial Paper Wipes Using Nanotechnology
A group of researchers at an Iranian company used copper nanoparticles in producing nano wet wipes that are anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.
“After 10 years of experience in producing wet wipes, we were looking for a nano product with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and even anti-viral properties. Therefore, we produced copper nanoparticles to produce antibacterial wipes,” Seyyed Mehdi Hosseini Hessari, managing director of an Iranian technology company said, according to the Iran's Special Headquarters for Nanotechnology Development.
Saying that the antibacterial and antifungal properties of these nanoparticles were confirmed in various tests, he added “Wet wipes are popular with many people, especially women and young mothers, due to their practicality, availability and softness.”
“Wet wipes are produced on the basis of water and without using alcohol, and in order not to get contaminated with microbes, preservatives have been added to them that are safe for use. Given that perservatives usually come with health risks, nanotechnology was used to make them safe for use by customers," the researcher added.
Saying that their company has so far exported other products to Iraq, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, Hosseini Hessari said “We predict that these nano wet wipes will also have export potential to these countries.”
Noting that they are looking for the use of copper nanoparticles in other products, he added, “So far, these copper nanoparticles have been used in the production of masks and deodorants, the company plans to increase the range of applications of nanoparticles.”
Iran-Made Nanofiber Makes Industrial Filters Last Longer
An Iranian knowledge-based company has used nanofibers to make filters for industrial units, especially power plants, last longer.
Nanofiber filters possess a handful of advantages over conventional fibers.
Nanofiber filters tend to have very high filtration efficiency. They require less energy for the air to ventilate through them.
Moreover, they are cost-efficient as they last longer and do not need higher-powered ventilation systems for circulating air.
The industrial and power plant filters produced in an Iranian knowledge-based company have features such as better protection of turbine parts, reduction of downtime costs, an increase of power generation capacity, and an increase of filter life to at least 1.5 times.
The company has been exporting the filters to Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two years.
Nanofibers are used in the air filters of the company. Four Iran-made nanofiber production systems have been purchased for this purpose.
Iranian Company Produces Nanocomposite Flooring for Docks, Port Facilities
Nanocomposite flooring produced by an Iranian knowledge-based company is able to improve the efficiency and productivity of docks and port facilities.
Concrete is one of the materials that are widely used in various industries, and its resistance to wear and possible impacts is an advantage.
Therefore, the company used nanotechnology to help increase the performance of the product in industrial flooring.
Thanks to the properties of their very small dimensions, nanoparticles can increase the efficiency of concrete, including wear resistance.
In general, nanotechnology improves the bulk property of concrete, helps to obtain thinner final products, faster setting time, and lowered levels of environmental attack.
Nanotechnology has also proved to be beneficial in the prevention of cracks and the reduction of shrinkage in concrete.
New Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Method Reduces Environmental Harm
Researchers at Linnaeus University have developed an environmentally friendly battery recycling method that has great potential for large-scale application.
Linnaeus University researchers have developed a new way to retrieve cobalt from used lithium-ion batteries. The battery recycling method uses a liquid solvent derived from urine and acetic acid to recover over 97% of the cobalt, the journal ACS Omega reported.
With the demand for lithium-ion batteries rising and a limited supply of critical battery metals such as cobalt, it is clear that an efficient battery recycling method is required. Demand for cobalt, one of the main components of lithium-ion batteries, is rising in tandem with growing battery demand and is only expected to increase. Despite this, battery recycling currently occurs on a small scale.
“Today’s methods for recycling cobalt from batteries come with many drawbacks. They require significant amounts of energy and create byproducts that are dangerous for both humans and the environment. With more efficient and environmentally friendly methods, we can reuse a very significant portion of the cobalt that is already in use, instead of mining,” said Ian Nicholls, professor of chemistry at Linnaeus University.
Iranian Student Makes Sludge Removal System to Protect Environment
An Iranian student at Islamic Azad University’s Ilam branch succeeded in building a system to collect and remove sludge and all types of algal pollution in water-related installations which reduces damage to environment.
“Sludge collecting device for all types of algal and sediment pollution can reduce damage to technical and environmental facilities and keep the entrance to facilities of water stations healthy,” said Jalal Mirzayee, the manager of the project.
Noting that the device can be installed at the entrance of all types of water pumping stations and dams and all kinds of water storage sources, he said that the system cleans the filter of water entrance without the presence of an operator deep in pumping stations.
“The device's mechanism of action prevents reproduction and formation of any type of algae and the deposition of water salts in pumping stations," adding that the mechanism is useful to the environment,” Mirzayee said.
4155/v
