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: Ethical Concerns Still Exist for Birth of Baby with 3 Parents
A member of the scientific board of Royan Research Institute said that despite the advantages and technical possibility of the birth of a baby with 3 genetic parents in Iran, certain ethical concerns still exist.
“The plan of having a baby with 3 genetic parents existed in Iran 20 years ago (by testing and cloning animals) and it is technically feasible in our country. But there are always ethical concerns in this type of birth for humans,” Fatemeh Hassani, a PhD in production biology from University of Tehran and a member of the scientific board and clinical embryologist at Royan Research Institute, told ANA.
She referred to the insignificant role of genes in the plan of the birth a baby with 3 parents, and said, “0.02 percent of genes does not have a great effect on DNA transfer.”
Hassani pointed to the birth of a baby with 3 genetic parents in Britain, and said, “In Britain, there are many discussions about the correctness or incorrectness of this plan, but experts believe that the role of 0.02 percent of genes is insignificant.”
Warning that there is still room for concerns, she said, “We do not know mitochondrial genes completely and therefore, problems may occur in this area,”
Hassani said that the cytoplasm that is inherited from mother can change behavioral patterns.
Meantime, she underlined that one of the positive advantages of this plan is the birth of a healthy baby and preventing the birth of a baby with mitochondrial disease and not transmitting it to the next generation.
Iran-Made Nano-Based Cellulose Air Filters Used in Power Plants
Two Iranian companies succeeded in making special cellulose air filters based on nanotechnology which can be used in power plants.
‘Azad Filter’ and ‘Behran Filter’ companies have produced the efficient air filter based on a cellulose or synthetic textile which is coated by polymeric nanofibers.
The coating of nanofibers on the cellulose or synthetic textile has improved filtration efficiency, prolonged working lifetime of the filter and increased dust absorption efficacy with no drop in pressure of passing air.
The air filters can be used in gas turbines of power plants and for filtration of floating dust in the inlet air of facilities.
Turbine Oil Purification Filter Produced in Iran by Using Nanotechnology
An Iranian company managed to make eco-friendly filters for purification of oil in turbines by using special nanofibers.
‘Behin Palaye Sharif’ company has manufactured the product which is an eco-friendly cellulose nanofiber-modified depth filter used to efficiently remove the varnish from the turbine oil.
It enjoys sufficient resistance to both organic solvents and weak acids, providing a high absorbing capability.
The addition of nanofibers to the filter has led to improved ability in varnish removing and enhanced absorbing capability of contaminants.
The filter can be utilized for the removal of varnish from lubricant oils, hydraulic oils, gear oil, and transformer oil.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Manufactures Irrigation Rain Gun Sprinkler
Researchers at an Iranian knowledge-based company have successfully made a type of sprinkler that saves a lot of water in irrigation.
“This company is located in the Science and Technology Park of Hamedan province and has been operating in the field of producing pressurized irrigation equipment for 20 years,” Vahid Hashemi, a representative of the Iranian knowledge-based company, said in an interview with ANA.
“Traditional methods of irrigation in agriculture lead to wastage of water. Therefore, we tried to tackle this problem by producing new irrigation equipment. Water sprinkler products used to be imported from Germany and Italy at a very high price, but this knowledge-based company with reverse engineering and obtaining patents has been able to offer this product to consumers at a very low price,” he added.
He said that the price of domestic devices is one-fifth of the foreign counterparts.
“700 people are working directly in this knowledge-based company and 1,300 people are working indirectly,” Hashemi said, adding, “Optimizing underground water and reducing water consumption is one of the main advantages of this device.”
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Produces Smart Sensors to Constantly Check Environment Conditions
Researchers at a knowledge-based company in Iran have successfully produced smart sensors for monitoring the environmental conditions in biological products, food, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.
Farshad Nazari, a business development expert at a knowledge-based company in Iran pointed out that the company's products are divided into online and offline sensors. Each of these products is used separately in a specific area.
“The offline sensors are used during transfers and transportations. In the meantime, monitoring liquid transfer, transfer inside tankers and transport vehicles are done by these sensors, and finally there is a product for the production line process.”
“Online sensors covers sections where a person continuously monitors environmental conditions. This set monitors and checks environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration, different types of gases and all parameters in the environment,” he added.
Nazari stated that the sensors are wireless and they send their information to a central hub through a system, and the hub can show the sensor information to the user through a panel after connecting to the Internet.
Pointing out that the sensors do not need electricity because they work with a battery with five years of efficient life, he added, “Also, these sensors do not need network wiring and electricity wiring, therefore, we can say that this system is a remote-board system that transmits information up to 15 km in open space and up to 5 km in closed space. Processes in various industries are facilitated in this way.”
Iranian Researchers Obtain New Formulation to Combat Red Mite in Poultry Industry
A team of researchers at an Iranian knowledge-based firm have obtained an herbal formulation to effectively fight red mite in poultry houses without causing side effects on the chickens.
In an interview with Iranian media, Ehsan Salehifar, the executive director of the research project to produce the herbal formulation said, “Our company started its research activity in 2019 and in 2022 we managed to receive a knowledge-based certificate from the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.”
According to the researcher, the product to combat one of the country's poultry pests called red mite is a formulation that is obtained from plants.
He said that chemical formulations are usually used to fight red mites. But, he warned, that chemical method comes with problems such as creating resistance and drug residue.
“To resolve this problem, after several years of research, we achieved a formulation based on a completely herbal composition using local and indigenous plants and presented a completely green method to fight the red mites,” Salehifar said.
The researcher further said that the herbal formulation is able to completely destroy the red mite.
Knowledge-Based Firm in Iran Develops AR Technology on Web
An Iranian knowledge-based company has managed to provide AR (augmented reality) technology on the web for the first time in the country.
“The product is an engine for displaying and providing augmented reality services on the web without installing an application, and it enjoys the capability to display audio, image, video and 3D model content,” said Milad Aslani, the product manager and vector programming manager of the company.
He said that by using this service, the surface of all physical products will becomes a medium, adding that before this, products provided by AR were used either as an application or by using free Google items, which only had the ability to insert a 3D photo on a surface. But in this product, which is in the form of a marker base, the content presented in the form of a 3D model, video, music, and photo is identified and displayed on the desired image which can be a business card, restaurant menu, bank gift card, etc.
“One of the applications of this service is a bank gift card. For instance, the bank can record and upload its video greeting message on the card, and the final receiver can watch the recorded message by scanning the card,” Aslani said.
Iran Inks Contract with Russia to Build 6 Ships in Caspian Sea
The CEO of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) announced the conclusion of a contract with Russia to build six ships in the Caspian Sea.
Representatives from the three countries of Iran, India and Russia attended the Tehran meeting to discuss the International North-South Corridor. Iranian Road Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash represented Iran in the meeting, in which they discussed facilitating maritime transport in the Caspian Sea as part of the corridor.
According to a report by the Iranian Road and urban Development Ministry, Ali Akbar Safaei, CEO of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) made the remarks about building six ship for Russian by the Iranian ship-making companies on the sidelines of the third tripartite meeting between Iran, India abd Russia in Tehran on July 4.
Saying that with the commitment provided by the private sectors of Iran, India and Russia, transit from the sea route will be more prosperous he added, “Regarding Russian investment in the Northern ports of the country, we have reached significant agreements and we are preparing a contract.”
Iran-Made Nano-Based Paint Enjoys Rheological Properties
The nano-based pain produced by an Iranian company is rheological and resistant against UV radiation.
‘Goharfam Industrial Manufacturing’ company has made the polymeric paint modified by nanoparticles with a high chemical resistance.
Its density is 1.1 g cm-3 and can resist against the UV radiation for at least 300 hours.
The use of nanoparticles into the polymeric paint has resulted in higher viscosity and enhanced sagging resistance.
The product can be used as finishing paint for facilities and cabin of the aircraft, and factories.
Gloss Polyurethane Paint Produced in Iran for Aviation Industry
An Iranian nanotechnology company succeeded in production of gloss polyurethane paint which can be used in aviation industry.
‘Giti Asa Industrial and Chemical Manufacturer’ company has made the nanoparticle-reinforced polyurethane paint with a short drying time, high chemical stability, and sufficient resistance to UV radiation.
The addition of nanoparticles to polyurethane matrix has led to higher flexibility, enhanced mechanical properties and stronger adherence to the underlying substrate.
The nano-based product can be used as finishing paint for facilities and cabin of the aircrafts.
Iranian Company Locally Manufactures High-Quality Fiber Optic Ports
Engineers at a knowledge-based company in Iran have domestically produced fiber optic equipment for data transmission that can match with European counterparts.
In an interview with Iranian media, Akram Ramzaninejad, the managing director of the Iranian knowledge-based company said that the research field of their company is fiber optic communication equipment (cables, switches and ports).
“We started our activity in 2012 and succeeded in localizing and producing different types of fiber media converters and PoE switches,” she said.
Saying that their company obtained its knowledge-based grade by producing 8-port switches, media converters and SFPs, she added, “The 8-port network switch is used for conducting the bandwidth of the network connection to various wired network devices such as computers, all types of Wi-Fi phones, network cameras and some wireless access points,” Ramzaninejad said.
“This product is a series of fiber optic modules that are used in switches and as a kind of interface between switches and fiber optic equipment which performs data transfer and converts electrical data into optical fiber and vice versa,” she added.
New Nano-Based Engine Oil Made in Iran Lowers Fuel Consumption
A nanotechnology company in Iran succeeded in production of special engine oils which prolong the engine’s life and decrease fuel consumption.
‘Pardis Chimistry Bakhtar’ company has manufactured the new type of engine oil in which a nanoscale additive is included to protect the engine and extend its lifetime, facilitate starting and turning off the vehicle, and decreasing fuel consumption.
The improvements have been made through adding hard nanoparticles to the engine oil as a stable suspension to fill the pores in the interior surfaces of engine and provide a better lubrication, supply favorable lubrication and reduce heat generation and wear in engine.
The oil can be used in engines of a variety of vehicles.
Nanofibrous Polymer Used in Iran to Produce Air Filters for Heavy Trucks
An Iranian company utilized nanofibrous polymer to make high-quality air filters for heavy trucks.
‘Behran Filter’ has manufactured the product which is a dust-absorbing air filter covered by a thin layer of nanofibrous polymeric web to improve its filtration efficiency and prolong its operational lifespan.
Covering the surface of the fabricated air filter with certain nanofibers has led to improvement in filter efficiency and floating dust absorption and longer operational lifespan.
The special air filters can be used for heavy trucks.
Iranian Experts Produce Real Content in Virtual Studio
A group of Iranian specialists from a company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of Tarbiat Modarres University succeeded in production of real world content by creating a virtual studio.
Babak Sobouti, the director of content production of the company, described production of creative content as one of the achievements of his firm, saying, “We launched a virtual studio to produce this content. In this studio, we do photography and filming.”
He noted that the virtual studio is an infrastructure that does not require changing the location for filming to produce content, adding, “The technology provides any needed location virtually.”
“We are able to produce audio and video content with the help of the virtual studio,” Sobouti said.
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