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:
Official: Iran Ready to Extract Gas from Phase 11 of South Pars after Overhauls
Managing Director of Iran’s Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) Mohammad Hossein Motejalli announced that the country is ready to exploit gas from the phase 11 of the South Pars gas field after major overhauls.
"By carrying out the overhaul, starting early production from the phase 11 and operating the new pipeline of phase 16 is possible and we are ready for sustainable gas production in the winter," Motejalli said.
“By performing the overhauls on the production platforms, we are ready to extract maximum gas from this joint field (with Qatar),” he added.
Motejalli said that seven million cubic meters of gas can be extracted from the phase 11 of the South Pars per day in winter.
“The overhauls that were carried out this year in the South Pars gas platforms were the most different major repairs in the lifetime of the South Pars gas field, and while 23 years have passed since the first days of extraction of this gas field, the isolation operation of marine lines from the South Pars gas platforms was carried out for the first time,” he noted.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Produces Devices for People with Disabilities
A group of researchers at a knowledge-based firm in Iran have offered a device equipped with artificial intelligence to strengthen the muscles of the hands and legs to assist the people with disabilities with their natural hand and legs movements.
In an interview with Iranian media, Parsa Ahmadi, one of the researchers in a company pointed to the quadriceps or hamstrings device as one of the knowledge-based achievements of the company.
He said that the thigh and hamstring support assists patients to stretch the hamstring, calf, glutes, knee and lower back.
He called the latest product of their company a device for improving hand movement which is an artificial intelligence glove.
“Patients with hand problems, especially patients who have suffered from a stroke, can use this device to help them with their fingers and hands movement,” he said.
“The mirror gloves are worn on the healthy hand and imitate the movement of the healthy hand for the injured hand….The brain neurons are activated and help patients move their hands,” Ahmadi said.
Iranian Researchers Produce Novel Green Catalysts
A team of chemistry researchers at the University of Tehran (UT) have successfully used nanotechnology to produce environmentally friendly and recyclable catalysts for chemical processes.
Golnaz Rahimzadeh, Ph.D. in chemistry organic chemistry at the University of Tehran, said, “In recent years, due to environmental and economic reasons, the use of heterogeneous and renewable catalysts has become very important in the synthesis of chemical compounds. However, since most of the catalysts that are used as industrial and laboratory catalysts are corrosive and expensive, their use faces problems and restrictions.”
“Because of that, the design and construction of heterogeneous nanocatalysts based on metal nanoparticles, which are a good substitute for most of the old catalysts, was placed on our research agenda,” she said, adding, “Solid catalysts on the nanoscale of this research have been produced with the least waste, and definitely, they have good selectivity,” a report by the Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council (INIC) website said.
Rahimzadeh went on to say that the new compounds can be recycled and reused even on a large and industrial scale in the reaction mixture phase, adding, “Therefore, these catalysts can be a suitable alternative to the common dangerous acid catalysts.”
“Currently, most of the polymers employed are industrial and expensive compounds. For that, the use of biocompatible compounds is classified in green and environmentally friendly chemistry category while they also meet the goals of heterogeneous catalysts.”
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in designing and building a fiber-coupled single photon detector in the visible and ultraviolet regions which can be applied in the military and telecommunication industries.
“Our company is the manufacturer of femtosecond fiber lasers and ultra-fast detectors in different wavelength ranges. One of the products we presented in this exhibition is single photon detectors which are used in quantum technology. We are the only manufacturer of these detectors in Iran,” Atousa Sadat Arabanian, the managing-director of the knowledge-based company active under the supervision of the Laser Plasma Research Institute of Shahid Beheshti University, told ANA on the sidelines of the 14th International Nanotechnology Exhibition in Tehran.
“This detector is designed in the visible and ultraviolet layers up to the wavelength of 800-900 nm and more than one micron in the region of 1,550 nm,” she added.
“These types of detectors are mostly used in quantum technology due to the telecommunication wavelength and they have applications for secure communications and are mostly used in military and telecommunications industries that require coding and encryption,” Arabanian said.
Iranian Researchers Make Spectrometer to Detect Deadly Poisons
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company built an ion mobility spectrometer to detect poisonous compounds like cyanide or lithium which can cause death.
“Ion mobility spectrometer is used to detect certain compounds like cyanide or lithium in the process of studying the cause of death,” Mohammad Reza Hamidi, the technical director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA on the sidelines of the 14th International Nanotechnology Exhibition in Tehran.
Noting that the IMS (Ion Mobility Spectrometer) is a highly fast device for detecting and measuring gases and small amounts of chemicals, poisons and drugs, he said, “This device can replace GC and HPLC in many cases. Its mechanism of action is a type of chromatography in which the species are first converted into ions and then the ions are separated in an air column.”
Hamidi said that the device reacts to small amounts of substances in the range of ppm and nanoparticles, adding that the operational speed of the device is a few seconds and it is used in many cases where speed is important, including safety, emergency or continuous monitoring.
Iranian Scientists Produce Environmentally-Friendly Nanosensor to Detect Aluminum in Food
Iranian researchers at the Chemistry Department of Islamic Azad University’s Bandar Abbas branch succeeded in designing and manufacturing a nanosensor based on bacterial cellulose nanofibers and anthocyanin which can detect very small amounts of aluminum in food.
“This nanosensor is a simple and biocompatible strip-shaped sensor that changes color in the presence of small amounts of aluminum ions,” Fatemeh Mohseni, a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University’s Bandar Abbas branch, told ANA on the sidelines of the 14th International Nanotechnology Exhibition in Tehran.
Elaborating on features of the nanosensor, she said, “Compatibility with the environment and easy and fast use, and being cost-effective, disposable, portable, high sensitivity and detection of aluminum in food matrices (polymer package) are among the advantages of this nanosensor.”
“This nanosensor was tested on a tea sample and obtained good results that can easily show little amounts,” Mohseni added.
Islamic Azad University’s Companies, Research Centers Show Strong Presence in IRANNANO Expo
Several knowledge-based firms and research centers affiliated to Islamic Azad University attended the 14th International Nanotechnology Exhibition (IRANNANO 2023) in Tehran to showcase their latest products and achievements.
The IRANNANO 2023 exhibition is one of the most important gatherings in the field of nanotechnology in Iran and the world and helps participants to exchange ideas, knowledge and new innovations and create a network with their colleagues.
The IslamicAzad University researchers had a strong presence in the 14th exhibition and over 40 companies participated in the expo out of which 9 were knowledge-based firms.Other companies were present at the exhibition as technological units stationed at the Islamic Azad University's incubator centers and greenhouses, and 110 products from 20 provinces, 25 academic units and 3 research centers were presented in the expo.
The nano-based products presented by the Islamic Azad University researchers are used in various fields, from health products to various industries like construction industry, chemical, and agricultural industries, water treatment, different nano absorbents, nano fertilizers and super absorbents, etc.
Iran-Made Nano-Based Device Helps Anti-Drug Police Detect Narcotics
Iranian researchers at a company stationed at the Center for the Development of Technological Units of the Islamic Azad University’ Sanandaj branch succeeded in designing and manufacturing a device for making solid phase microextraction retainers and fibers by using nanotechnology.
“The main application of this product is to extract substances in very low concentrations. These materials should be extracted before entering the device,” Sirvan Mohammadi Azar, a PhD graduate of Analytical Chemistry and a faculty member of Islamic Azad University’s Sanandaj branch, told ANA on the sidelines of the 14th International Nanotechnology Exhibition in Tehran.
Elaborating on the function of the device for making retainer and solid phase microextraction fibers by using nanotechnology, he said, “A syringe exists inside this device with absorbent (as the heart of this device and the size of a strand of hair) which is a nanocomposite absorbent and absorbs materials. After the material is absorbed by the device, it is pulled into the sheath, then the device heats up. Finally, whatever is attached to the pod enters the device, and after that the device determines the ingredients inside a plant.”
Mohammadi Azar noted that normally, a very expensive solvent is used and it takes time to determine the composition of a plant and these materials should be evaporated, saying, “The device we have made carries out all these stages in one stage and it does not need toxic and expensive solvents.”
“In addition to being used to detect the compounds of plants, the product can also be used to extract and measure toxins and pesticides in plant products like apples, cucumbers and vegetables. Also, the anti-narcotics police can extract the drugs and insert them into the machine in the shortest possible time,” he added.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Produces Graphene Oxide on Industrial Scale
A team of researchers at a knowledge-based firm in Iran have started producing graphene oxide (GO) on an industrial scale.
Yousef Amrollahi, the managing director of Borj and Barou Fars knowledge-based company told ANA correspondent on the sidelines of the 14th edition of International Nanotechnology Exhibition in Tehran that with the production capacity of 40 kg of graphene oxide per month, it is possible to meet the needs of the domestic market.
Graphene oxide (GO) is a unique material that can be viewed as a single monomolecular layer of graphite with various oxygen-containing functionalities such as epoxide, carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups.
“Now the produced graphene oxide is used in anti-corrosion and anti-moss paints. We also produce paints that have anti-acid properties due to the presence of graphene oxide. We have entered into negotiations with the shipping company to use these paints on the hull of the ship," Amrollahi added.
“These anti-moss paints are durable. While the normal paints last for only 6 months, these nano paints last up to two years,” he continued:
Official: Iran Ready for Attracting 250 Billion Dollars Investment in Oil Sector
Head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Mohsen Khojasteh Mehr announced his country’s preparedness for $250bln foreign investment in the oil sector until 2031.
Khojasteh Mehr made the remarks at the Sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai.
He underlined that investments help stabilize and secure global energy market, adding that the world’s energy future will be determined by leading players, including Iran.
The official noted that Iran ranks first in the world in terms of oil and gas reserves on aggregate, adding that the country is the holder of some 340 billion barrels of crude oil equivalent.
Iran-China relations are growing, he said, adding, “We are seeking to create a strategic platform and an international market-based trade arena.”
TPO: High-Tech Products Exports Account for 0.1% Of Iran's Total Exports
Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) has released its latest statistics about the country’s exports in the first half of Iran'a current year (started on March 21), showing the share of primary products in total non-oil exports was 38%, products with medium level technology 30%, goods with low level technology 9% and high-tech goods 0.1%.
The latest statistics published by Iran’s Trade Development Organization (TPO) show that in the first six months of this year of 1402 in the Iranian calendar (March 21-September 21, 2023), the total non-oil exports, including petrochemical and oil based-goods, mining and mineral industries, industry and agriculture, were 67,744,000 tons worth $24.144 billion.
In total, during that period, compared to the first half of the previous year, the weight of non-oil exports increased by 29%, while its value decreased by 2.6%. The largest share of these exports is related to petrochemicals and gas condensates, which account for nearly 52% (in value) of the total non-oil exports. Mining and mineral industries are in the second place with almost 27%. The portion of industry and agriculture in the total value of non-oil exports was 15% and 6%, respectively.
In its report, the TPO has categorized the total non-oil exports according to the technology level of the products. In the first half of 1402, more than 21 million tons of goods worth about $9 billion of primary products were exported from the country, showing a 39% and 13% increase in weight and value, respectively, compared to the first half of 1401. Basically, the export of primary products has the largest share, 38%, of the total value of non-oil exports.
Iran-Made Planetary Ball Mill Capable of Pulverizing Particles Down to Nanometers
A knowledge-based company in Iran has succeeded in manufacturing a planetary ball mill that can pulverize particles to the range of microns and nanometers.
“In the planetary ball mill machine, as the name suggests, the grinding chambers have two positional movements (around themselves) and translational movement (around the center) like the planets of the solar system so that they do not stick to the walls and be continuously thrown in the direction of the diameter of the chamber circle,” said Maryam Qaraqani, the managing director of the knowledge-based Amin Asia Fanavar Pars company.
“This mill enjoys the ability to grind in the vacuum environment of argon shielding gas and other gases. The speed and rotation time of the device can be measured based on the type and size of the required grain,” she added.
Noting that the grinding chamber is made of different materials like stainless steel, hardened steel, agate, tungsten carbide, alumina and Teflon based on the type of powder, Qaraqani said, “This mill is used in various fields to pulverize particles in the range of microns and nanometers. Mechanical alloying of different particles and chemical reaction during grinding are other applications of these mills.”
Iran-Made Smart Self-Care Assistant Reduces Costs of Medical Centers
Iranian researchers at Iran University of Medical Sciences developed a smart self-care assistant which can decrease costs at the medical centers.
“Smart self-care assistant technology helps to reduce the cost of medical centers by using artificial intelligence,” Batoul Mehrshad, the director of statistics and information technology of Iran University of Medical Sciences, told ANA.
“It is a new technology that can help doctors, nurses, and even patients in the fields of health, treatment, and medicine by using artificial intelligence, and on the other hand, this technology can be used to reduce the costs of medical centers,” she added.
Noting that the system can also diagnose different diseases, including cancer, with the help of artificial intelligence and from the images recorded in the system, Mehrshad said, “The robotic part of this technology can be used in electrocardiogram machine, and to detect drug interactions that cause many problems for patients and even doctors.”
“Recording the surgical and nursing reports, which take time, is another application of artificial intelligence in the medical industry,” she stated.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Designs, Builds Nano Houses
An Iranian knowledge-based company builds nano houses to contribute to the government plan to build million of houses as part of the National Housing Movement plan.
The new Mahdasht town is a new project of the National Housing Movement plan, part of houses of which is built based on a contract that a knowledge-based company has signed with the contractors there.
The nano houses by the Alborze Province-based knowledge-based firm are prefabricated houses based on concrete reinforced with nanotechnology, and according to the officials, the structures are earthquake proof.
The resistance of the nano houses has gained the approval of the Road, Housing & Urban Development Research Center.
Using nanotechnology and nanomaterials, the company has produced houses with high level of safety, low maintenance costs, and resistant to earthquakes and moisture.
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