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:
India, Iran Ink Deal to Further Develop Chabahar Port
India signed a 10-year contract with Iran to further develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar.
Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash said on the sidelines of the signing ceremony that an Iran-India joint shipping company would be launched soon.
During the ceremony a contract for equipping and operating a container terminal and general cargo barges at Chabahar port was inked with an Indian company.
"We have regular planning in the development of rail, road and sea infrastructure and the growth of transit in different sectors in Iran continues," Bazrpash said.
“There is a direct line of container shipping between Iran, India and China. Since the start of this year (which began on March 21, 2024) the transportation of goods on this route has increased," he added.
"The Iran-India joint shipping company will be launched soon,” Bazrpash noted, adding that Chabahar port plays a strategic role in the eastern branch of our north-south corridor, and after the completion of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway section by the end of the year, this port will play a greater role in the country's transit development plan.
He added that the value of contract between Iran and India in Chabahar has increased to $370 million.
Iranian Factory Launches Production of ATY Yarn with Domestically Produced Equipment
A textile factory in Qazvin Province in the Northern part of Iran has started producing ATY yarn with domestically developed technology and equipment.
In a ceremony attended by Rouhollah Dehghani Firouzabadi, Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, and Governor of Qazvin, the ATY yarn production line with an annual production capacity of 2,200 tons was inaugurated and put into operation at Nafis Nakh knowledge-based company in Qazvin province’s Lia Industrial Town.
Ahmad Jarian, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, said that the new production line has a nominal annual production capacity of 2,200 tons of yarn, adding, “With the help of this production line, Nafis Nakh Company would be able to produce texturized yarn products with air jet texturizing, which have the same properties as wool or cotton yarns. It is considered to be one of the leading technologies in yarn production that has been now indigenized.”
It has also put the production of polyester yarn, which has wide applications, on the agenda. Polyester yarn are used in all textile products such as blankets, cloth, safety belts.
He continued to say that they have also put the production of polyester yarn, which has wide applications, on the agenda. Polyester yarn is utilized in different textile products such as blankets, cloth, and seat belts.
"Nafis Nakh Company has been able to activate more than nine external companies producing yarn by supplying them its products, and many factories across the country are operating now because of Nafis Nakh and they produce its products," he further said.
Iranian Company Manufactures Oil Well Cement Testing Equipment
An Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in production of a special device which measures the thickening time of cement slurries under simulated downhole pressure and temperature conditions of the oil wells.
“This device specifically measures and informs the thickening time of cement in the oil well,” Amin Karimi, the managing-director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.
“The formulation of oil well cement is different from the cement used in construction. The most important parameter of the oil well cement is the calculation of its thickening time,” he added.
Noting that the measuring device is widely used in oil well drilling operations, Karimi said, “In the last stage of oil well drilling, the thickened cement is injected into the wall and around the well for more strength.”
“Before starting the drilling operation, the primary cement that is going to be injected into the well is measured by the potentiometer of this device, and the precise information of oil well cement measurement is transferred to the user through the software that is connected to the torque of the electronic device,” he added.
Iranian Physicians Use Japanese Method to Perform 1st Surgery to Stop Seizure in Children
Specialists in Iran have succeeded in conducting brain tumor seizure surgery on an 8-year-old child who has recovered without any complications.
“The last method of treating these tumors was done based on use of very thin tubes that are guided by the navigation system and are used to destroy and burn the convulsive connections of this mass and disconnect it from the central brain system,” Mansour Parvaresh, a specialized neurosurgeon, told ANA.
He stated that the neurosurgery team of Iran University of Medical Sciences, consisting of specialists from Firouzgar and Rasoul Akram hospitals, implemented this treatment method for the first time in Iran.
“We were able to perform surgery on an 8-year-old child with brain seizure tumor, which was very successful and the child recovered without any complications,” Parvaresh underlined.
“This treatment was conducted with the same equipment, technique and method as in Japan, and we are monitoring the child's condition and so far, no problem has occurred,” he added.
Iranian Technologists Able to Indigenize Industrial Devices Using Ultrasonic Technology
Researchers and technologists in Iran have managed to domestically produce industrial machines using ultrasonic technology, according to the managing director of an Iranian knowledge-based firm.
The 10th International Conference on Acoustics and Vibration was held by Iranian Society of Acoustics and Vibration at Shahid Sattari University in Tehran on May 16, 2024.
Addressing the conference, Hossein Nejat, the managing director of a domestic knowledge-based company, first gave an explanation about the nature and activities of his company, saying, “The ultrasonic laboratory of this company launched its operation as its main department in 2019 with focusing its activities on ultrasonic technology.”
“Ultrasonic technology is widely used in areas such as ultrasonography, welding devices and the sound sector of different industries.”
He pointed to one of the achievements of this knowledge-based company, the ultrasonic liquid flow meter, explaining, “This device is used in the oil, water and wastewater treatment industry and refineries.”
Iranian Experts Make BIA Body Analyzer Device
Researchers of an Iranian knowledge-based company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of Sharif University of Technology succeeded in indigenizing a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device.
“This device precisely measures the amount of visceral fat (hidden abdominal fat), muscle weakness, the amount of intracellular and extracellular water, and the amount of proteins in the body,” Vahid Ojaqi, the technical manager of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.
Noting that the device works by using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method, he said, “It has impedance (weak pulses that connect to the body) and 8 electrodes (2 on the right hand, 2 on the left hand, two on the right foot and two on the left foot).”
Ojaqi explained that when a person stands on the device with bare feet, a weak impedance is introduced to the body, then the device obtains the necessary information about the amount of fat tissue, muscle, intracellular and extracellular water and the basic metabolism of the person with 5 different frequencies.
“Also, this device is able to report a history of body changes and displays what changes have occurred in the body compared to the previous period,” he added. He stated that measurement of basic metabolism and other parameters in medical science is highly important for patients, specially cancer patients, adding, “This device can also be used by nutritionists, physicians, and sports trainers to analyze the body of patients and athletes to assess their health and fitness.”
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Produces Oil Control Valves for Car Industry
The production line of oil control valve (OCV) used in cars equipped with CVVT system was launched in an Iranian knowledge-based company in Qazvin province in the presence of Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Rouhollah Dehqani Firouzabadi.
“Five million dollars in foreign exchange savings have been achieved with the production of the OCVs,” Dehqani Firouzabadi said.
The Continuous Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) performance control valve known as OCV (Oil Control Valve) is one of the products of the Iranian knowledge-based company, which plays a key role in the correct operation of the CVVT system in cars.
The oil control valve consists of a solenoid that has a coil and controls the oil flow for camshaft changes.
The CVVT system also plays an important role in adjusting the opening and closing time of the smoke and air valves of the car engine.
Iran needs 700,000 OCVs annually on average, and Shaygan company is the only manufacturer of this part in the country.
Iranian Scientists Make Breakthrough in Restoration of Amputated Finger with Stem Cells
Iranian researchers at Royan Research Institute made new discoveries by studying the role of secretions (exosomes) isolated from stem cells in repairing the cartilage of the amputated finger.
“This research project aims to investigate the effect of secretions (exosome) isolated from stem cells on repairing the cartilage of an amputated finger. In this project, researchers have conducted studies on the amputated finger of a mouse,” Leyla Taqiyar, a member of the scientific board of Royan Research Institute and an expert in cartilage and connective tissue regeneration, told ANA.
“Exosomes are cell secretions that can be changed by manipulations performed on them in research processes. Human and animal body cells have the ability to release other secretions with the genetic manipulations,” she added.
“Secretions caused by mesenchymal stem cells, with the manipulations carried out on their genome, enjoy the capability to repair the damaged tissue and organ of the body,” Taqiyar said.
“The main goal of this research was to investigate the secretions released from the mesenchymal stem cells of the mouse’s amputated finger. Of course, the initial phase of this research is testing on animals, and in the next phases, the necessary clinical tests will also be performed on the human body,” she noted.
Iran’s Petroleum University to Establish Academic Center in Africa
Iran’s Petroleum University of Technology is due to establish an international academic center in Africa, said the university’s chancellor.
Mohammad Chahardowli said that the Petroleum University of Technology with an 85-year history of activity was the second oldest higher education institution in Iran, adding during the recent years it has been one of the superior scientific and research institutions of the country, having served the Petroleum Ministry and the domestic and international companies in training human resources.
He also referred to the Petroleum University of Technology’s cooperation with the foreign universities, saying, "After signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with Basra University for Oil and Gas (BUOG) in Iraq, we plan to expand our cooperation this year which is set to cover issues like joint educational and research activities, exchange of professors and students and holding joint camps.”
“Likewise, we have reached an agreement with the Russian University of MGIMO, based on which the students will spend part of their education in Iran and the other part in Russia. These students will be given two master degrees, one from Iran and the other from the foreign university.” Chahardowli said.
He added that Petroleum University of Technology has also held negotiations with the Russian University of Kazan, seeking expansion of international cooperation via taking part in various international exhibitions.
“To expand our international activities, we are trying, with the help of the Ministry of Science, to establish a faculty in one of the African universities to train students from around the continent,” the chancellor said.
Iranian Experts Make Elastomeric Infusion Pumps for Delivery of Drugs
Technologist at an Iranian company managed to produce elastomeric infusion pumps used for ambulatory delivery of drugs.
“This device, which most people refer to as a pain pump, has an elastomer tank into which the medicine is injected and then delivered to the patient's body at a controlled rate (in the range of 2 to 10 ml/hour),” said Behnam Jamshid Doust, director of the research and development of the company.
“These elastomeric pumps can inject a specific dose of medicine to the patient at a controlled rate; therefore, instead of injecting painkillers all at once and creating momentary effects, the medicine can be continuously injected to the patient and reduce the patient's pain during the period after the surgery,” he added.
Jamshid Doust noted that the elastomeric pump can be used to manage pain after heavy surgery, painless childbirth and other clinical cases.
Elastomeric infusion pumps are designed for continuous drug delivery, on-demand delivery or a combination of continuous and on-demand drug delivery (patient-controlled analgesia, PCA).
Elastomeric pumps offer a safe alternative to electronic pump systems for various therapeutic areas and applications. They are intended for single use and, in contrast to electric infusion pumps, work without external energy sources such as batteries or electricity. The pumping function is provided by the continuous contraction of an elastomeric balloon filled with drug. Inside the infusion line connected to the balloon is a flow restrictor, also called a capillary, which limits the flow rate of the elastomeric drug by the pressure difference between its inlet and outlet.
Iranian Company Produces Economical Faucets for Hospitals
Experts at an Iranian company succeeded in manufacturing special faucets which reduce water consumption in hospitals.
“In our company, we have managed to produce low-consumption faucets which flow out five liters of water per minute,” said engineer Derakhshan, one of the researchers of the company.
Noting that the faucets in the market are made of plated brass, he said, “But our faucets are made of standard steel which is resistant to detergents for disinfection and they are guaranteed for two years.”
Derakhshan added that the company also produces anti-bacterial and anti-virus filters which are used in hospital environments to provide clean air for the patients.
Knowledge-Based Firm Designs, Produces Intelligent Automobile System for Accident Prevention
Researchers in an Iranian knowledge-based have designed and produced an intelligent warning system for automobiles to predict accident possibilities and prevent them.
Iranian Researchers at a knowledge-based company have designed and built an intelligent pre-accident prediction and warning device.
“The experts at this company are working towards the development of various systems for smart vehicles using new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and we are trying to focus more on the systems for increasing the safety of cars,” Ali Parsa, the managing director of the company said.
“After reviewing various international research and commercial examples of systems related to autonomous vehicles, this company has succeeded in designing, manufacturing and producing an intelligent pre-accident warning and alert device. We have also tested and evaluated this product by designing and developing an autonomous vehicle test simulator and conducting testing it on streets and roads,” he added.
“The intelligent device for predicting a crash into the vehicle in front of the car and warning before an accident is designed and built to prevent road accidents caused by driver drowsiness or distraction,” Parsa further explained.
“This device is installed on the front part of the interior part of light or heavy vehicles to predict a possible crash into the vehicle in front of the car and prevent accidental exit from the road or road lane. It alerts the driver by creating an audio warning so that the driver quickly gathers his wits and hit the brake and does not crash,” the managing director of the company added.
Kidney Transplants in Iran Increased by 15% Last Year
The head of the transplant department of the Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education said the number of kidney transplants in the last year of 1402 in the Iranian calendar (March 21, 2023-2024) increased by 15% compared to the year before.
Sanaz Dehghani, the head of the transplant department of the Iranian health ministry, told ANA that in 1402 (ended on March 19, 2024), the number of organ donors hit a new record high in the country.
"There were 1,121 organ donors in the country and as many as 4,124 organ donations were registered last year," she went on to say.
She also said that organ donation is done in different areas such as kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, lung and intestine, adding, “The number of kidney transplants in 1402 increased by 15% compared to the year before the Iranian year of1401 (March 21, 2022-2023).”
Moreover, Abdul Samad Hekmat, a urologist and kidney transplant specialist in Afghanistan, said that the first kidney transplants were performed by Iranian specialists in Herat city.
“In 1402, several Afghan specialists received training in nephrology, surgery and anesthesia at Shahid Labafinejad Hospital [in Tehran], and after that they were able to perform kidney transplants in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan,” Hekmat said.
“Over the past two years, about 700 cases of kidney transplants were performed in the two cities of Herat and Kabul by Afghan specialists,” he added.
Iranian scientists Make Electrodialysis (ED) for Water Treatment Plants
A scientist, presiding a team working in the field of applying nanotechnology in the water industry, said that after two or three failed attempts, the team finally built an electrodialysis device that removes water-polluting ions.
“We initiated our work in a laboratory that could provide infrastructure for metal nanomaterials,” Bahare Kaviani said.
“Our strategy was to expand nanomaterials. In 2010, we started water treatment to achieve drinking water. For that, we produced a product with new methods to solve the problem of traditional methods. One of these problems is wastewater treatment and water recycling.”
The nanotechnology activist added that, “As a small knowledge-based company, we contacted water and sewage companies and told them that we could operate in the country by relying on our knowledge. Of course, that was a difficult job because implementing the pilot project and satisfying the customer comes with problems.”
Saying that "water is of crtitical importance in the country due to its direct relationship with people's health", Kaviani added, "Our project failed two or three times until fortunately, after 1.5 years of efforts, the first electrodialysis system, which is a deionization technology, was completed. This system removes polluting ions.”
"The production of nanomaterials has provided us with an infrastructure so that we can use this knowledge in other fields. These infrastructures have allowed us to use products in agriculture, fisheries, skin and hair, etc. The export of these materials is also underway," the researcher added.
4155/v
