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:
New Elements Enhance Lithium Battery Cyclability
A group of researchers have significantly improved the performance of lithium-iron-oxide cathodes used in lithium-ion batteries by doping them with abundant elements like aluminum and silicon.
Charge-recharge cycling of lithium-superrich iron oxide, a cost-effective and high-capacity cathode for new-generation lithium-ion batteries, can be greatly improved by doping with readily available mineral elements. The energy capacity and charge-recharge cycling (cyclability) of lithium-iron-oxide, a cost-effective cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, is improved by adding small amounts of abundant elements. The development, achieved by researchers at Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, and Nagoya Institute of Technology, is reported in the journal ACS Materials Letters.
Lithium-ion batteries have become indispensable in modern life, used in a multitude of applications including mobile phones, electric vehicles, and large power storage systems. A constant research effort is underway to increase their capacity, efficiency, and sustainability. A major challenge is to reduce the reliance on rare and expensive resources. One approach is to use more efficient and sustainable materials for the battery cathodes, where key electron exchange processes occur.
The researchers worked to improve the performance of cathodes based on a particular lithium-iron-oxide compound. In 2023, they reported a promising cathode material, Li5FeO4, that exhibits a high capacity using iron and oxygen redox reactions. However, its development encountered problems associated with the production of oxygen during charging-recharging cycling.
“We have now found that the cyclability could be significantly enhanced by doping small amounts of abundantly available elements such as aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur into the cathode’s crystal structure,” says Associate Professor Hiroaki Kobayashi at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University.
Monthly Steel Production in Iran Increases by 1.1 Percent
The Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) announced that crude steel production in the first month of the Persian calendar year (started on March 20) has increased 1.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
The ISPA said that Iran's semi-finished steel production has reached 3.166 million metric tons in the first month of the Iranian calendar year.
Of the mentioned amount, a 1.1% increase in semi-finished steel production, some 2% increase in total production of steel products, the 5.7% increase in pellet production, and the 10.4% increase in sponge iron production are among the most important achievements in the first month of the Iranian calendar year.
According the ISPA’s figures, in the mentioned period, the production of iron ore concentrate shows a 4% increase.
Steel beams production decreased by 14.9%, and coated sheets production decreased by 4.8%, and production of hot and cold sheets show 1.2% increase, according to the statistics.
ISPA had also announced in April that that $7.6 billion of steel products were exported from the country in the last year of 1402 in the Iranian calendar (March 21, 2023 to March 19, 2024).
Iranian Researchers Study Ways to Deal with Bullying at Work
Bullying is considered as one of the most critical mental health issues in today's complex and industrial life which causes problems for human resources and reduces their performance and the organizational health, a study by the Iranian researchers said.
The importance of the human factor and its unique role as a strategic resource and implementer of organizational systems and processes has nowadays been paid attention more than in the past.
Iranian researchers have conducted a study that in advanced organizational thinking, human beings are referred to as the most important resource and asset for the organization, and the more desirable this capital is, the more likely the success, survival and promotion of the organization will be.
In this research, it is stated that although there is no specific list of bullying behaviors, in most definitions, bullying is considered to include behaviors like verbal warfare, teasing, bullying, and social exclusion.
This research points to the importance of investigating workplace bullying and the results indicate that in organizations where people feel more dissatisfied with the status quo, the phenomenon of workplace bullying may occur more, and its occurrence in organizations will decrease trust and mutual cooperation among the members of the organization and will shake and disintegrate the unity and integrity of the members of the organization.
The studies of this research show that transformational leadership is considered a strong management tool to deal with workplace bullying, and also the research indicates that leadership style can be an indirect predictor of workplace bullying in organizations.
Iranian Researchers Conduct Study on Effects of Emotional Intelligence on Students' Performance
The results of a research conducted by researchers at the Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) showed that there is a meaningful relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) in students and their performance at school.
"Examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievements in students majoring in anesthesiology and operating room technician at the Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS)" is the title of study done by a group of researchers at the TUMS.
For many years, many would think that IQ is the only index that shows the people's success; but psychologists have realized now that non-cognitive factors such as emotional and social elements a play very important role in achieving success as well, the researchers said.
The study pointed out that IQ alone is not enough to assess a person's success and it can only account for 20% of factors behind success. The research further said that success of the students can be dependent on the emotional, social and luck factors.
According to the researchers, emotional intelligence is one of the succesful factors in both educational centers or at work as well as in social relationships, and with its help, one can secure success in various aspects of life
The research continued to realize that emotional intelligence could play a more important role than cognitive intelligence, because many learnings require having social and emotional skills. It also concluded that emotional intelligence helps people in their social relations, decision-making, and with their creativity.
Iranian Experts Study Strategies for Empowering Deprived Neighborhoods
Iranian experts believe that each of the strategies for empowering deprived areas will vary depending on the political, institutional, cultural and social characteristics, and these strategies will change over time.
Bita Hamed (an Assistant Professor and Director of the Sociology Research Group) and Sajedeh Vaezzadeh (Assistant Professor and Faculty Member of the Sociology Research Group) have studied the issue in an article entitled ‘empowerment models of underprivileged neighborhoods, problem or solution?’
They underlined the need to empower the managers and executive experts of the custodian and partner institutions, saying that empowerment projects require the participation of all stakeholders, and it is necessary for project implementers to be fully familiar with collaborative processes and to be able to activate the capacities of all stakeholders in order to participate as much as possible in the projects.
The researchers also stressed the need for integrated management, institutional capacity building and the use of the capacities of non-governmental institutions, adding that one of the requirements for the successful implementation of empowerment plans is to establish intra-sectoral coordination during the implementation of plans.
The need for information and transparency is another element emphasized by the researchers.
Iranian Specialists Study Role of Research Surveys in Turning Knowledge into Policy
In absence of institutionalized procedures to translate and transform knowledge into policy, surveys give policymakers the illusion of knowing and controlling the current situation.
Fatemeh Javaheri (an Associate Professor of Sociology at Khaarzmi University) pointed out in an article entitled ‘Usability of Iran's National Surveys’ that despite having material and human resources, lofty goals and good policies, the ability of many governments to realize their wishes, i.e. creating a framework for action and adjusting the environment accordingly is limited, and they are unable to use new knowledge to reduce social problems and progress and develop the society.
In this research, it is stated that in the current situation of Iran, the difference in the intellectual authority of executive agents, the difference in the intellectual authority of researchers and managers, the lack of independence of action and the serious determination of managers, lack of trust in the accuracy of scientific data, the pressure of influential groups and a variety of ideological and political considerations, lack of intra-organizational and inter-organizational coordination, the existence of various structural dualities do not allow the knowledge obtained from scientific research to enter the managers' agenda.
Another point in this research is that usually certain parts of the executive bodies, like the research departments of the ministries, request to conduct research, but the main core of the governing institutions acts based on other bases for decision making.
It added that the problem of developing countries is that they take the best instances and policy procedures from the world of advanced countries and want to implement them in a different world where organizational, human and political preparations are not available.
Iranian Technologists Develop "Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy" for Elemental Analysis
Experts at a technological company in Iran have used locally developed know-how and technology of "Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy" (LIBS) to build products and equipment in the field of laser and plasma.
Hajar Zarei, the managing director of the Iranian technological company, said that they have focused their activity in the firm on laser, plasma and electromagnetic waves.
“Our company operates with the aim of indigenizing know-how and up-to-date technology in the field of mining and energy. Currently, using knowledge-based equipment, we have laid the ground for the development of knowledge-based products and the development of research in the field of laser and plasma, optics and other related technologies,” she said, according to a report by the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy.
Zarei referred to elemental analysis method as one of the capabilities of their technology company, saying, "This method is a form of atomic emission spectroscopy that uses high-power lasers to vaporize materials and produce plasma. Then, the plasma created is then induced by the laser, and the atoms emit light at specific wavelengths that can be used to identify the elements in the sample. Using this technology, which is based on the direct examination of the sample, accurate and practical information can be obtained without the need for preparation or with minimal preparation based on the analysis of the spectral lines emitted from the induced plasma by laser.”
University of Tehran Researchers Study Children’s Transition from Family to Society
Iranian researchers at the University of Tehran believe that going from family to school, the child comes under the supervision of new rules which is applied to all children indiscriminately.
In an article titled ‘postmodernist attitude to modern education’, Davar Sheikhavandi (a faculty member of the University of Tehran) discusses the issue that for many children in our society, the educational system is the first experience that sociologists call formal organization.
In this research, it is pointed out that families indirectly return to school and share the fears caused by that system. Despite the highways of communication, in modern society, schools have become the most seductive and alluring social institutions. Continuation of education, long-term attachment to school, efficiency, promotion of status in jobs, increase in productivity and as a result climbing the promotion ladder and securing important jobs play a decisive role and are considered complementary to other effective factors in stratification.
According to the researcher, due to the superior status of education and the increasing number of different issues that it raises in our society, sociologists have paid attention to make research and criticize the function and actions inside the educational system and their reaction outside it.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firms Produce Valuable Catalyst for Petrochemical Industry
Two Iranian knowledge-based companies have been able to meet the needs of petrochemical firms by acquiring the know-how of designing and manufacturing the complex palladium catalyst, a report said.
Carbon-based palladium catalyst is known as one of the most complex catalysts in the petrochemical industry. This catalyst was exclusively produced by a few European, Asian and US companies.
Amin Malekzadeh, the head of Shahid Tondgouyan Petrochemical Comple in Iran, underlined that the catalyst’s production was monopolized by a number of European, Asian and US companies, including Germany's BASF, Italy's Chimet, and Japan's Nechimcat, saying, “Iran has acquired the technical know-how and complex technology of this strategic catalyst, and with its indigenization, in addition to increasing the stability of production in the conditions of illegal sanctions of the West against Iran, it has also provided the basis for reducing the cost and the finished price of the production.”
He added that indigenization of the catalyst will save 2 to 2.5 million dollars for the country annually.
Iranian Knowledge-Based Firms Produce Several Medical Products
Specialists in a number of Iranian knowledge-based companies have been able to design and manufacture several medical products which have customers both inside and outside the country.
Ali Farhadi, the managing director of an Iranian knowledge-based company, told ANA that “we are the producer of all types of chromatography resins, and we have established our production unit in the Middle East for the first time. This specialized product is used in the purification of recombinant drugs and is used in industries that produce biological and anti-cancer drugs”.
Also, for the first time in Iran, the technologists of another knowledge-based company succeeded in production of the effective ingredient and the final product of Dotarem (gadotrate meglumine) with an Iranian brand. Dotarm is a contrast agent used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
“Our company is active in the production of contrast agents. For the first time in Iran, we have been able to produce both the effective ingredient and the final product of the Iran-made gadotrate meglumine drug; the production of the effective ingredient of this medicine was monopolized by a few prominent countries in the world in the past, and now we have been able to achieve the technology of making it with the modern methods of the world,” Kamran Dashti, a pharmacist and a member of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.
“This drug is used as an intravenous injection for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In terms of quality, it has all the FDA approvals of US and Europe. From a clinical point of view, more than 30,000 drugs have been injected into patients and so far there have been no side effects,” he added.
Iranian Researchers Study Effects of Human Resource Reforms on Occupational Stress
The Iranian researchers believe that reforming human resources, self-concept, and getting to know one's inner characteristics affect the reduction of psychological pressures in the working environment and reduce stress in employees.
Iranian researchers have conducted a study which shows that occupational psychological pressure affects people's health, reduces the quality of life, and increases the probability of work-related injuries and negative effects on organizational results, like violence at work, accidents, absenteeism and burnout.
In this research, it has been stated that conducting reform on the human resources has become a fundamental and vital issue in today's knowledge-based world in private and public organizations.
Reform is a process that helps people to behave more optimally in their job responsibilities, and it is defined as the process of increasing the capacity of human resources.
Biophotonic Research Center in Iran Produces Different Laser, Optical Products
The head of Researcher Center of Laser and Biophotonics in Biotechnologies said that two and three-dimensional holograms, the design and production of an optical smart toothbrush case, and the design and patenting of an electronic optical insect killer are some of the center's achievements.
“For 15 years, I have been working in the field of laser and photonics or laser optics engineering in Isfahan universities and different research centers,” Sahrifeh Shahi, a researcher and a professor at Islamic Azad University (IAU)- Isfahan Branch told ANA.
She added that since 2018, she has been the chairwoman of the Researcher Center of Laser and Biophotonics in Biotechnologies based at the IAU-Isfahan branch (Khorasgan), which, according to ger, was ranked the first among medical science research centers in the country in 2021.
Shahi went on to say that she and her colleagues at the Biophotonics research center have produced different products and conducted several projects.
Extraoral dental suction system, designing and producing artificial lighting for indoor plants, designing and manufacturing an electronic optical insect killer, designing and manufacturing two- and three-dimensional holograms, designing and manufacturing of bleaching machine for home use, an optical smart toothbrush case, low-level laser therapy, therapeutic lasers in rehabilitation are among products and achievements of the research center, according its chairwoman.
Chiral Materials Unlock Unprecedented Efficiency in Spintronic Information Flow
A study by researchers from NC State University and the University of Pittsburgh reveals that the direction of spin injection influences the transmission of electron spin in chiral materials, paving the way for advancements in energy-efficient spintronic technologies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of Pittsburgh investigated how the spin information of an electron, called a pure spin current, moves through chiral materials. They found that the direction in which the spins are injected into chiral materials affects their ability to pass through them, the journal Science Advances reported.
These chiral “gateways” could be used to design energy-efficient spintronic devices for data storage, communication, and computing.
Spintronic devices harness the spin of an electron, rather than its charge, to create current and move information through electronic devices.
“One of the goals in spintronics is to move spin information through a material without also having to move the associated charge, because moving the charge takes more energy – it’s why your phone and computer get hot when you use them for a long time,” says David Waldeck, professor of chemistry in Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and co-corresponding author of the work.
Iranian Researchers Study Sociology of Education in Family
Iranian researchers believe that the structure of a family means the distribution of power, the position of each person, the communication network between members, etc., based on which, the existence of an educational relationship between parents and children can be studied and analyzed.
Morteza Monadi (a faculty member of Al-Zahra University) in an article entitled ‘education and family; the application of sociology of education in the field of family’ deals with the issue that various factors and elements of decision-makers, planners, executives, managers, teachers and trainees have a role and involvement in this matter.
The researcher believes that sociology of education is related to these three areas; school sociology, sociology of content, sociology of school relationship with social institutions.
In this research, it has been pointed out that the economic situation of the society, the political situation of the society and the cultural situation of the society and also in today's world, the media, each individually or together and in cooperation with each other affect the family.
According to Monadi, the type of media and the type of program the family uses shows the cultural content of the family as well as the type of relationship the family establishes with the institution of education, how much it values science and the education of its children.
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