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:
Most Efficient Method for Creating Metallic Plasmas
A team of researchers from Tohoku University and the Toyohashi University of Technology has successfully used solid metals under a strong magnetic field in a microwave resonator to create metallic plasmas.
Hot gases composed of metal ions and electrons, called plasmas, are widely used in many manufacturing processes, chemical synthesis, and metal extraction from ores and welding. The new method, created by teams from Tohoku University and the Toyohashi University of Technology, is one of the most efficient in creating metallic plasmas, the journal AIP Advances reported.
A strong electric field is applied to gases or liquids in the most conventional methods for making metallic plasmas. However, this can require copious amounts of energy.
More recently, microwave radiation has also been harnessed to generate plasmas as it converts atoms into a form that can more effectively drive desired chemical processes, among other advantages. The metallic plasmas microwaves generated are now used in commercial operations, including semiconductor manufacture, diamond deposition, and releasing metal from their ores.
However, this has involved multi-mode microwave generators, which generate a chaotic distribution of microwaves. One key advance the team achieved is applying a single-mode microwave generator to produce their metallic plasmas. This creates more controlled and highly focused microwaves.
Anti-Bacterial Storage Tanks Produced in Iran via Using Nanotechnology
Researchers at an Iranian company have produced antibacterial water storage tanks by using nano-materials.
Water storage is one of the concerns of different societies and currently tankers and polymer tanks are used for this purpose. But long-term storage of water in these tanks can increase the possibility of bacteria and germ contamination in the water.
To solve this problem, a team of researchers at an Iranian company have started producing tankers and water tanks with antibacterial properties. These antibacterial tanks can prevent the accumulation of bacteria, germs, fungi, molds and other pathogens.
The tankers produced by the Iranian company removes microorganisms and pathogens from drinking water as a result of nanomaterials used in their structure.
The polymer used in these tanks contains biocide nanoparticles (microorganisms killer) with a different chemical composition, which makes it possible to complete immersion and no change in particle size in the masterbatch production process, using a four-step proprietary method. For this reason, the antimicrobial compounds of this mixture are perfectly mixed with most of the ingredients, and the antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-mold properties are achieved in these products.
These products use different mechanisms for germicide at the same time, so that it can be used in all environmental conditions such as high humidity, dry and dusty climate, as well as dark spaces.
Iranian Specialist Builds Changeable Mobile Table
An Iranian expert from a technological engineering company succeeded in building a mobile table which can change shape and form if needed.
“This product can be used in residential houses, companies, gardens, schools and kindergartens,” Mohammad Hossein Jovanmardi, a PhD student in architecture and the managing director of a technical engineering company stationed at the incubator center of technological units of Islamic Azad University’s Shiraz branch, told ANA.
He explained that the mobile table has received a patent certificate from Iran’s State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties and the General Directorate of Patents.
Javanmardi also elaborated on the activities of his company, saying, “The technological firm is active in the field of architecture and civil engineering and designing and making products needed by the construction industry and interior decoration.”
Iranian experts have made good achievements in development of advanced construction materials.
Iranian Researchers Make Allograft Products for Organ Transplantation
The researchers of a knowledge-based company in Iran succeeded in making allograft products at a much lower price than similar foreign samples that are used for organ transplantation.
“Our company has succeeded in producing allograft products. The company makes hard and soft tissues, and we can mention bone tissue, bone powder, granules, etc. in the field of hard tissue products. Also other products include tendons used for ACL-PCL operations and tendon replacement,” Samanipour, the head of the research and development (R&D) section of the knowledge-based Iranian Faravardeh Baft company stationed at Pardis Science and Technology Park, told ANA.
“We also have the heart valve in the field of soft tissue products which includes the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, and is used to replace the patient’s damaged heart valves,” he said, adding that cartilage tissue is another product of the company that is used in septum and cosmetic procedures.
“In addition to these products, we have other soft tissues that are used in dental surgeries, etc.,” Samanipour said.
“Another product of our company is called frozen bone which is used for people suffering from bone diseases like bone cancer, osteosarcoma, etc. In these patients, the surgeon is forced to amputate a limb due to the disease, but the surgeon can place the frozen bones in that area and prevent the amputation of the patient’s limb by transplanting the tissue,” he noted.
Iranian Researchers Develop System to Assess Adequacy of Hemodialysis
Within the framework of a research program, Iranian scientists designed and produced a system that is able to assess the adequacy of hemodialysis.
The adequacy of hemodialysis refers to how well toxins and waste products are removed from the patient's blood and has a major impact on their well-being.
The urinary system consists of kidneys, ureters, and bladder, responsible for cleaning the blood from various toxins and maintaining water and electrolyte balance.
Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent kidney damage that leads to the loss of normal kidney function. Kidney damage can have a sudden onset or it can happen gradually.
When the kidney damage reaches a point that requires kidney replacement therapy, the patient progresses to the final stage of kidney failure, which leads to death if left untreated.
Iranian Researchers Produce Woven Carbon Fiber Fabrics Impregnated with Polymer Resins
With the support of Tehran University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Iranian researchers have produced woven carbon fiber fabrics impregnated with resins for the first time in Iran.
Woven carbon fibre fabrics can be impregnated with polymer resins in order to produce a very stiff and lightweight material.
"For the first time in Iran, we decided to use carbon fiber fabric impregnated with resins by a group of young researchers in our country in order to meet demands in the field of health including various orthoses in the field of rehabilitation. The project could be very useful in industries such as manufacturing drone, aerospace industries, automotive industries and in general in industries where stiff and lightweight material is used,” said Meissam Metaji, a PhD student in ergonomics at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and the executive director of the project to produce woven carbon fibre fabrics, according to the public relations department of USWR.
The researcher said that after he and his teammates found out that domestic needs for woven carbon fibre fabrics is met by importing foreign materials, they decided to produce it inside the country to meet domestic needs. “Considering the various applications of this product, we took advantage of the advice of the Center for the Development of Medical Equipment and Rehabilitation Science, Rehabilitation and Social Health to investigate, conducted various studies, and performed numerous tests,” Metaji also said.
He said that domestically production of the mentoined product enjoys a number of advantages over the imported ones such as lower price, being more economic friendly by emitting less greenhouse gases, more availability, and less weight.
Iranian Researchers Study Effects of Diabetes on Hammertoe
Researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology studied the effects of diabetes on people with hammertoe in order to design special shoes for the people.
The Iranian researchers investigated the effects of hammertoe on the ligaments of the toes of a person with advanced diabetes.
Hammertoe is a foot condition that makes the middle joint of a toe permanently bend up. It’s caused by an imbalance between the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the feet, and it can be painful if left untreated.
When a toe contracts, it usually straightens back out. Over time, either due to arthritis, diabetes, or overuse, it can stay in a clawed or hammered position causing problems.
According to statistics, there are more than 400 million people with diabetes in the world, and 32 to 39 percent of diabetic people will undergo hammertoe.
The change of shape in diabetics is a phenomenon that increases the risk of wound formation.
In this research, the formation of a precise three-dimensional model of the diabetic foot that has undergone a change in shape and the changes that occur due to the deformation of a hammertoe compared to a healthy foot was considered.
Knowledge-Based Firm in Iran Conducts Clinical Test on Blood Coagulant Powder, Anticancer Substances
Managing director of an Iranian knowledge-based company announced that experts in his firm have carried out clinical tests on blood coagulation powder and MOF substances which prevent cancer.
"We have found a method to use blood coagulant powder and MOF materials which cause blood to clot to prevent cancer," Omid Mahmoudi, a master's student in chemical engineering, a doctoral student and the chairman of the board of directors of Fateh Shimi Setareh Pars company, told ANA.
“We have also succeeded in producing nano-based MOF type 3 products and a device in the field of water and wastewater treatment. The fields of application of our products are medical industry, nuclear industries, electronics industries, and water and wastewater treatment. Our company's field of activity is production of MOF nanomaterials, nanoalcohol, and smart water and wastewater treatment devices,” he added.
Mahmoudi explained that in the medical sector, the specialists at his company have carried out activities in the field of blood coagulant drug (powder) and MOF anti-cancer substances to clot blood without complications, adding that they are still in the clinical trial stage.
Iran-Made Centrifuges Applied in Power Plant, Seawater Desalination Industry
A knowledge-based company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran produced industrial centrifuges which are used in recycling wastewater in the power, water and sewage industries and can be applied in seawater desalination industry.
“We have produced two types of centrifuges for wastewater treatment and power plants; these centrifuges, named as ‘decanters’ in the water and wastewater industry, are used in the separation and purification of sludge in a way that the water can be reused in the Ministry of Energy's activities," said Keyvan Heidari, the commercial manager of the knowledge-based company.
He stated that the device was imported by the Ministry of Energy until now, adding, “At present, we are conducting preliminary assessments to apply it in water desalination processes in Assalouyeh region.”
“The device is used in power plant industries to separate mainly suspended particles in oil or separate particles from water used in gas and steam turbines,” Heidari said.
Iranian Researchers Locally Manufacture Controller Devices for Power Substations
Engineers at an Iranian knowledge-based company based in Shahid Beheshti University's Science and Technology Park achieved the technical know-how of designing and manufacturing control equipment for electric substations.
According to the public relations department of Shahid Beheshti University (SBU)’s Park, Hojatullah Torabi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company said that his firm started operation in 2003 at SBU’s park.
“From the very beginning, we worked in the field of making equipment used in telecommunications infrastructure and industrial automated systems” Torabi said, adding, “At that time there was no such a thing by the name of knowledge-based products."
He said the research field of their company is to make advanced radio systems, adding, "We are the only producer of Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and Programmable Logic Lontroller (PLC) [in Iran].”
He added the private and government companies that built electrical substations are the main customers for their products.
The researcher added the at first, the market did not welcome Iranian-made equipment and it took some time for them to get to the market. He added that all companies were looking for foreign brands that’s why they had to secure the customers’ trust first.
According to him, their knowledge-based firm has now gained a good share in Iran’s market in the field of telecommunication and electrical control equipment.
Iranian Researchers Develop Rapid Method to Identify Fake Olive Oil
Researchers at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology of Tehran University succeeded in making a device for testing quality and detecting fake olive oil rapidly.
They designed a hybrid system using ultrasound and an electronic nose with an effective, non-destructive, accurate, and environmentally friendly method, which determines the quality of olive oil in less than a few minutes.
In food products such as extra virgin olive oil, many frauds may occur which, in addition to material damage, may cause poisoning and physical harm to the consumer.
Fraud in the supply of olive oil usually involves adding a lower-priced oil to the product, so that there is no change in the indicators.
Therefore, it is not so easy to identify olive oil impurities, and the conventional methods for determining the quality of olive oil are often destructive, time-consuming, and expensive.
The new system, which has been designed for laboratory use, can meet the needs of food inspectors and buyers in a non-destructive manner, in a short time and at a lower cost, to ensure the purity of olive oil.
By combining two efficient methods of ultrasound and electronic nose, the system determines the purity of olive oil with very high accuracy.
Iranian Startup Designs an Application for Payments by Foreign Travelers
One of the startups located in the Tehran-based Azadi Innovation Factory has developed an application to facilitate purchases and payments in foreign currencies for foreign tourists who travel across Iran.
“We have currently produced two applications to provide services to foreign tourists,” Yasser Al-Khairuo, the founder of the start-up said, according to the public relations department of Pardis Technology Park.
He furthe said that the first application is the Iran Guide, which is a completely free of charge application to help the users to know enough about Iran. We are creating the first Arabic language social network to introduce Iran to Arab tourists. In this social network, Arab tourists share their experience of travelling inside our country with others.
“The second application that is our main product and the one that we have focused our most efforts is the TOMAN CASH application. This application is a platform for conducting different payments for foreign tourists. This application helps foreign tourists, especially Arabic-speaking tourists, to pay for their purchases inside the country by charging it before traveling to Iran,” the researcher said.
“Nine main services are currently provided on this application, and we are seeking to increase the services provided on the platform so that we can meet all the needs of a tourists inside Iran inorder not to face any problems with their payments while traveling in country," he added.
The founder of the Iranian startup said that by using the application, buying and selling becomes easier for tourists, adding, “Foreign tourists will not face routine problems a tourist may face including lack of information about the prices and the cost of the services. We have provided them on this software the real prices and costs of services,”’ he explained.
Iranian Researchers Develop Software for Earthing, Lightning Simulation Testing
Researchers at the Amirkabir University of Technology succeeded in developing software for testing equipment related to earthing and lightning protection.
An effective earthing system is critical to the safety of every electrical installation.
“We succeeded in developing the software to interpret the specific resistance of soil in multi-layered soils,” Mehrdad Mokhtari, the manager of the project titled "Simulation software for earthing systems" said.
The software has the ability to simulate electrical earthing systems without any restrictions, he added.
Currently, these calculations are performed based on two methods of solving electromagnetic equations and quasi-static equations, he noted.
He went on to say that the software has the ability to evaluate safety and protection conditions in electrical substations and industrial centers in transient conditions of short circuits, switching, and lightning.
According to him, the soil evaluation module of the software is used to interpret multi-layered soils and determine the apparent resistance of the earth.
4155/v
