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 Technologists Produce Plant-Based Fungicide by Anti-Biological Method
Plant-based fungicide is a product made by the Iranian technologists at the incubator center of Islamic Azad University’s Gorgan branch which has a significant and noticeable superiority over other domestic and foreign samples.
“The field of activity of Fanavar Behzist company is production of a type of plant-based fungicide which is prepared by using a series of plants with antifungal properties,” Parvin Zolfaqari, a PhD student in the agricultural field at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, told ANA.
She explained that the plant-based fungicide can be used as a pre-cultivation and has successfully passed the experimental stages.
“In the first stage, we tested our fungicides on two types of ornamental plants, including Adenium and Vigouri plants, and the results showed that the fungicide enjoys the capability to compete with other samples available in the market,” Zolfaqari said.
“In the next step, we tested the fungicide on 20 types of ornamental plants and two types of summer crops, and the results were also positive. Also, a mushroom cultivation experiment was conducted and the effect of fungicides in controlling parasitic fungi was assessed, and we achieved good results from this stage too,” she noted.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Company Indigenizes ‘Triple Super Phosphate’ Fertilizer
Specialists of an Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in production of ‘Triple Super Phosphate (TSP)’ fertilizer with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons.
“This phosphate fertilizer is solid and the reaction of phosphoric acid and phosphate soil has been used for its production. For ease of use, Triple Super Phosphate is mainly produced in granular form (GTSP) in two stages,” said Shegefti, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
“In the first step, phosphoric acid is obtained from the reaction of sulfuric acid with phosphate soil apatite; and in the second step, phosphoric acid is separated from gypsum, and after concentration, it is poured again on the phosphate soil apatite which results in production of Triple Super Phosphate,” the managing director explained.
Noting that Triple Super Phosphate fertilizer has the highest phosphate concentration among phosphate fertilizers and the amount of available P205 in it is over 46%, Shegefti said, “Since nearly 90% of the phosphorus in its structure is soluble, it is easily available to the plant. Another advantage of triple superphosphate fertilizer is that it contains micro and macro nutrient elements for plants, including calcium, sulfate, iron, and other elements.”
“Phosphate in this fertilizer strengthens the trunk of plants and increases their resistance against diseases and pests,” Shegefti said.
Iranian Company Produces CO2-Based Insufflator to Facilitate Endoscopy
A technological company in Iran has produced an insufflator that uses CO2 to modulate and control the delivery of the gas to the patient to facilitate the work during the endoscopy.
"To examine the digestive system in endoscopy, the doctor passes a tube into the body through the mouth or anus to examine the digestive tract, esophagus or stomach and intestines," said Zahra Toorani, a PhD graduate from the Tehran-based Sharif University of Technology (SUT) and co-founder of the technological company that has produced the insufflator, according to a report by the public relations department of the Pardis Technology Park in Tehran.
"Air injection comes with risks such as pain, rupture of internal organs and air embolism in the abdomen. For that, we came up with the idea of producing a device that injects CO2 gas into the body instead of air. The absorption of this gas through blood vessels is 150 times that of air and it easily exits the body via the lungs. This significantly reduces the risk and pain caused by air embolism in the body," she added.
She added that after more than 10 years working in the field of producing medical equipment and studying the country's need for the insufflator, they decided to produce it.
"Since 2002, studies have been conducted on the international stage for the use of CO2 gas in the endoscopy process, and devices have been produced for that purpose called 'gas insufflators'. The product produced by our company was inspired by those devices," she went on to say.
Iran-Made Smart Glasses Help Blind People for Better Navigation
A group of Iranian researchers from Islamic Azad University’s Tehran branch used artificial intelligence (AI) to design smart glasses which analyze and find the path and obstacles for the blind.
“This product is a demo and a wearable gadget which is considered as assistant smart glasses to help the users to navigate in complex environments and accurately recognize objects with real-time audio capabilities,” Alireza Yahyayee, one of the researchers of the project, told ANA.
“While this product provides special possibilities for the blind people, including voice descriptions, navigation and object recognition, and improves their daily life, it also provides interactive educational content, virtual laboratory simulations and attractive educational content for students,” he added.
Yahyayee described the glasses as an incomparable tool to help doctors and medical staff during operations, consultations, and diagnoses, and said, “It also creates a field for experts for easy access to information, remote collaboration, and implementation of processes.”
Iranian Experts Improve Telecommunication Networks with Intelligent Management
A research project titled ‘distributed management and control over telecommunication networks’ was carried out by the Iranian specialists with the aim of optimizing energy consumption and improving the functions of electronic and telecommunication devices.
The project was implemented by Babak Hossein Khalaj, a PhD graduate in electrical - telecommunications - systems engineering from Stanford University, and was supported by the National Science Foundation of Iran.
“In this project, a multi-user channel is considered in which there is interoperability among network nodes. This network is connected to the central structure of the network through a wider network. Also, in these networks, the specifications of the transmission rate in the channel and the communication load in the backup network are provided,” said Hossein Khalaj.
He added that all information is gathered in one node and the node processes all the data, noting that in addition to the mentioned cases, control through these networks is also of particular importance, specially in the 5th generation networks.
“In this project, we investigated the new structures of using networks in this field. The applications of this field basically include both mobile cloud structures and cellular structures that are proposed in the 5th generation and the next,” Hossein Khalaj said.
Iranian Scientists Diagnose Cancer, Pathogenic Tissues with Radioactive Materials
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company managed to design and make an imaging device by using SPECT scanning method (a non-invasive method in medicine) and advanced nuclear technology to diagnose different diseases, including cancer.
The device is used to record and reveal the accumulation of radioactive materials in tissues. In this scanning method, based on the patient's condition, the radiopharmaceuticals are absorbed in different organs and a fraction of the photons pass through the surrounding soft tissue and are finally detected by the gamma camera.
“Our company operates in the field of nuclear medical equipment production and has succeeded in using advanced nuclear medicine technology to design and manufacture SPECT scanning device,” Behnoush Teymourian Fard, the deputy managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.
“The device is capable of imaging the function of all tissues and organs of the body and can be used to diagnose different diseases, specially cancer,” she added.
Noting that radiopharmaceuticals emit gamma rays, Teymourian Fard explained, “In this non-invasive method, radiopharmaceuticals are injected into the patient’s body. Then, based on its specifications, the radiopharmaceutical accumulates more in one of the tissues of the body and emits gamma rays. Finally, the gamma rays which come out of patient's body are received and converted into two-dimensional and three-dimensional images; in this way, the physician can obtain a report on the functioning of certain organs of the body like the heart, kidney, liver, and even bones.”
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Produces Device for Prophylaxis, Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Technologists at an Iranian knowledge-based company have developed a device for prophylaxis and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers for home use.
“This blood circulation improvement system is a portable electrical device designed for electrical muscle stimulation for use at home by the individual,” Jalal Radadi, the chairman of the board of directors of the knowledge-based company told local Iranian media.
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) activates muscles through electrical currents, resulting in involuntary muscle contractions.
Stating that the device transmits a single electrical stimulation to a group of underlying muscles through four pads attached to the skin, he added that the unique electrical stimulation continues in a prophylactic wave from the distal to the proximal muscles, resulting in contractions of the vessels and improvement. As a result, circulation of blood is improved and blood flow increases in the proximal and distal areas, which removes carbon dioxide in the blood and oxygenates the blood.
The chairman of the board of directors of the knowledge-based company went on to say that another function of the electrical device was to improve blood supply to the other organs other than the diabetic foot ulcers.
"With this mechanism, oxygen-enriched blood returns to the organs and increases blood flow in patients with decreased blood flow in vessels and veins and atrophic areas (degenerate muscle tissue), paresthesia (numbness and tingling of limbs)," Raddai added.
Iranian Researcher Designs, Produces Electrochemical Biosensors for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
A researcher at the Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) in Iran have designed and produced electrochemical biosensors for the early detection of microRNAs that are involved in breast cancer.
“Designing and manufactureing of electrochemical biosensors for early detection of microRNAs involved in breast cancer in a microfluidic platform” was the title of the PhD thesis done by Jalil Parchekani Choozaki at the Tehran-based Tarbiat Modares University (TMU).
Parchekani, who has a PhD in Biophysics from the TMU explained about his dissertation’s topic, saying, “Discovering a method to prevent cancer and early detection of it has always been of great importance.”
“Late detection of cancer can result in its spread to other body parts and infect other tissues through the metastasis, which takes place through the lymphatic or blood vessels to distant sites. When metastasis occurs, the treatment becomes very difficult as it becomes a malignancy,” the TMU researcher said.
He further noted that according to the World Health Organization’s statistics, breast cancer along with lung cancer are the most prevalent cancers among people worldwide, adding that the breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Iranian women.
Iran, Iraq to Strengthen Cooperation on Tackling Dust Storms
Chairman of Iran's Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization said that Iran and Iraq have agreed to increase cooperation to combat dust storms, an environmental challenge that affects both countries.
Abbas-Ali Nobakht made the remarks on a visit to neighboring Iraq at the head of an Iranian delegation and meetings with the governors of the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf.
Iran has a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of desertification and is ready to share its know-how with the friendly neighbor to tackle that environmental challenge and stabilize the sand particles on the ground surface.
The head of Iran's Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization further said that in the meeting, the solutions to tackle desertification and prevent dust particles from being created were discussed with the Iraqi side. He described the cooperation on combating dust storms as in the interest of both nations.
According to Nobakht, the two sides agreed to formulate strategies and take effective joint measures in the fight against dust particles.
Over 650 Iranian, Foreign Companies to Participate in Iran Health 2024 Expo
Secretary of Iran Health 2024 Exhibition announced that more than 650 Iranian and foreign companies will attend the expo due to be held at Tehran International Permanent Fairground on May 18-21.
“So far, over 650 domestic and foreign knowledge-based companies have registered to participate in the exhibition which has grown by nearly 30% (compared to the last year),” said Amin Reza Khaleqian.
He added that the exhibition’s main approach is paying attention to knowledge-based companies in the field of health, noting that side events in the exhibition, including the unveiling of new achievements in the field of health and holding dialogue sessions between the government and the private sector, are among the opportunities for the Iranian companies.
“Also, 50 foreign companies have announced their readiness to participate in the exhibition,” Khaleqian said, adding that the presence of various foreign delegations will facilitate the export of Iran-made medical equipment.
“In the past two decades, we have been able to turn from a country that imported medical equipment into an exporter, thanks to the efforts made by the Iranian knowledge-based and technological companies,” he stated.
Industrial Robot with 7 Degrees of Freedom Designed by Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm
Specialists of an Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in designing and manufacturing an industrial robot with seven degrees of freedom which can be used in the petrochemical and cement industries for filling bags with 50kg capacity.
“This robot is used in the filling lines of petrochemical products and cement industries and can automatically fill the products in 50-kg bags and place them on the trailer. It is able to fill 20 bags per operation,” said Mohammad Ali Khazayee, the chairman of the board of directors of the knowledge-based company.
“In the maintenance section, our product is designed in such a way that if there is a problem in the operation of the robot, it can be easily removed from the line and continue to operate manually until the problem is settled,” he explained.
Khazayee noted that the company has also designed and indigenized over 150 parts and equipment used in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries for the first time in the country.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Indigenizes Key Catalysts for Gasoline Production
Iranian specialists at an Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in indigenizing the technological products and catalysts needed by industries, specially for production of petrochemicals and gasoline.
“The field of activity of our company is the production of catalysts and nanostructured materials and its mission is to use high-level technologies like nanotechnology,” Hamzeh Kazerouni, the managing director of the knowledge-based company stationed at Pardis Science and Technology Park.
Noting that most of the products and technologies developed by the knowledge-based company have earlier been accessed by a few limited companies in the world, he said, “For instance, our company has worked on naphtha reforming catalysts, which are used in the production of gasoline.”
“Among other new products of our company, I can mention diesel fuel nano-based additive, which is one of the latest fuel additive technologies and had been monopolized by a US company in the past,” Kazerouni said.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Produces Vehicle Shock Absorber Multi-Testers
An Iranian knowledge-based company has produced a device to test damping ratio, high friction and heat in vehicle shock absorbers.
“This device, which does not have a domestic equivalent, replaces five or 6 separate devices altogether. It takes less space and also speeds up the testing process to a considerable extent," Jafar Nazmabadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company said, according to a report by the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy.
"The main activity of this company, which is located in Arak city, is the production of garage equipment and all production line machinery. Our expertise is specifically in the field of machinery and testing equipment for production lines. With the efforts and endeavors of the personnel of this company, two friction test and damping test devices have been designed and produced 100% domestically. We have received the knowledge-based badge for these two devices [from the relevant authorities]," he said.
"Last year, our company designed and produced two new devices named 'hot spinning' and 'multi-test' after surveying the needs of the market," Nezamabadi continued.
"The hot spinning device is used in lots of industries and is utilized to close the end of a pipe with heating and pressure technology. This device uses very advanced technology and has no similar domestic equivalent....The design department of our company designed this device in reverse engineering mode and completed its trial phase last year."
Knowledge-Based Firm in Iran Produces Industrial Robots with Seven Degrees of Freedom
Technologists at a knowledge-based company in Iran have designed and produced a seven-degree-of-freedom robotic arm that is used in petrochemical and cement factories to fill in 50 kg bags of cement and fertilizers and load and unload them on the conveyor.
“Our company operates in two areas. One of our products is the seven-degree-of-freedom robot, for which we have obtained the knowledge-based badge. This robot does not have foreign-made equivalent and it has been developed by us for the first time in Iran and the world,” Mohammad Ali Khazaei, the chairman of the board of directors of the Iranian knowledge-based company said, according to a report by the website of the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy.
“The robot is used in the production lines of petrochemical and cement factories to automatically fill in 50 kg bags and place them on the conveyer. This robot is able to fill 20 bags per operation,” he said.
“In addition, we have designed and locally produced more than 150 pieces and equipment used in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries for the first time in the country. Due to sanctions and economic conditions, it was not possible to import these pieces. Fortunately, all of the 150 pieces have been installed and put into operation in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries and have performed successfully,” he added.
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