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 Experts Use Nanotechnology to Manufacture Eco-Friendly Electric Coating for Walls

An Iranian PhD student at Islamic Azad University’s Tabriz branch succeeded in inventing an environmentally friendly electric wall coating for sustainable heating by using nanotechnology.

“This wall coating is made of conductive materials and thin heating elements that transfer heat directly to the walls when an electric current passes through. Unlike traditional systems that first heat the air, this technology directly heats surfaces and objects, preventing energy waste,” Davoud Beheshtizadeh, a PhD student in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Management at Islamic Azad University’s Tabriz branch, told ANA.

“Energy savings, carbon emissions reduction, uniform heat distribution, and the use of solar energy are the advantages of this product which reduces costs and dependence on fossil fuels,” he added.

“This coating generally consists of several thin layers, one of which is made of conductive material and is designed to produce infrared waves when connected to electricity. These waves increase the temperature by directly transferring heat to objects and people in the environment.

Iranian Firm Produces Vegetative Rootstocks without Fertilizer, Pesticide with 20-Year Lifespan

A technological company in Iran has succeeded in producing vegetative rootstocks by using the seedling tissue culture technique which is free of fertilizers and pesticides.

“The most important application of these products is that the vegetative rootstocks are free of diseases since unlike the traditional method no fertilizers or pesticides are used and they do not enter the food cycle,” Sanaz Hemmati, the managing director of the company stationed at the incubator center of the Islamic Azad University’s Marand branch, told ANA.

“Therefore, the vegetative rootstocks produced in our company are free of fertilizers or pesticides and have a useful life of up to 20 years, and when they enter the food cycle, the smallest substances that may be harmful to the human body are not observed in the seedling tissue culture,” she added.

“The products made by using the seedling tissue culture technique are economically very beneficial for farmers, and with this technique, the first-class products can be exported to other cities and countries,” Hemmati said.

Iranian Scientists Produce High Entropy Alloys with Unique Properties

Iranian researchers at the Technical Faculty of University of Tehran succeeded in production of an alloy with unique mechanical properties that enjoys the capability to combine strength and ductility at the same time.

“The alloy developed by the researchers of the University of Tehran exhibits remarkable mechanical properties at ambient temperature, which include significant yield strength and ultimate tensile strength along with very good ductility,” said Mohammad Javad Sohrabi, a materials engineering researcher in the laboratory of advanced steels and thermomechanical processes of materials at the University of Tehran.

“Regarding the material development, increasing strength usually causes a decrease in ductility. However, the alloy developed in this research simultaneously shows very good strength and ductility, which is superior compared to many materials developed so far,” he added.

“High entropy alloys (HEA) are a group of alloys that are composed of a combination of several elements with close ratios to each other, and this particular combination introduces a different approach from traditional alloying,” Sohrabi said.

“This innovative structure has paved the way for the design of alloys with unique properties and provides many opportunities for materials science engineers,” he explained.

Electron Beam Welding System Indigenized in Iran

A knowledge-based company in Iran has succeeded in indigenizing the electron beam welding system.

“Relying on our technical know-how and previous experiences in the fields of high voltage, driving electronic lamps, vacuum systems and precise mechanical systems, our company designed and built an electron beam welding system as the first Iranian company,” said Mohsen Shafae’i, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“This product is used in power plant industries, gas turbine manufacturing, aerospace industries, air engine manufacturing, electronic industries, medical industries and automobile industry,” he added.

“Uniform welding, excellent sealing of parts under vacuum, low pollution in vacuum, thinness of the welding area, thinness of the heating area, no need for filler metal, high quality repeatable welds, welding of non-homogeneous metals in various types, fine and continuous welding and No seams, the possibility of welding near heat-sensitive parts, free from any oxide or nitride pollution resulting from welding, minimal deformation due to welding, welding of hardened metals without significant changes in the mechanical characteristics of the welding area, and minimal thermal damage to surrounding metals are among the advantages of electron beam welding,” Shafae’i said.

Iranian Health Ministry Conducting National HIV Testing Campaign

The Iranian health ministry is carrying out a national HIV testing campaign for a month to identify cases of the disease and increase the public awareness.

The campaign, started on November 10 with the theme of ‘I will take HIV test too’ with two main objectives; first, since early diagnosis is important as it allows for timely initiation of treatment, the campaign aims to encourage individuals to take the test to detect HIV/AIDS infection among key populations; and the second main objective is to provide educational programs in community settings like city centers and parks to raise public awareness about HIV.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.

Despite all the measures taken in the country so far, there are still many challenges to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the lack of HIV-detecting programs to address the spread of the disease.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Makes CO2 Incubator

Experts at an Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in production of a CO2 incubator which provides optimal growing conditions and contamination prevention for valuable cell cultures.

“Among our key and strategic products is the CO2 incubator for cell culture. This device is considered as a vital tool in production of recombinant drugs, anti-cancer drugs and strategic and widely used vaccines,” said Mohammad Hassan Bastami, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“Our company also produces -86 degree deep freezers with different volumes and all types of laboratory freezers and refrigerators for storing kits and medicines,” he added.

Bastami underlined that the device has been installed in more than 400 medical centers in Tehran.

Iran-Made Non-Woven Textiles Protect Plants against Impacts of Climate Change, UV Rays

Antibacterial non-woven textile is the product of an Iranian company with applications in medical and food industries and protection of trees and plants against the UV rays and climate change.

“These textiles are produced with polypropylene fibers. These materials are turned into threads at a temperature of 270 degrees Celsius, and by twisting these threads into each other, they are spun on a screen, and finally, the spond bond fabric is formed,” Zahra Sobhdoust, the head of the research and development (R&D) department of the company.

“This product is used in the cosmetic and health industry as a covering layer for sanitary pads and in the food industry as moisture absorbent pads to absorb meat blood. It is also used in the medical industry to prepare masks, clothes, and underlays for the patient, and using them as hand bags and underlays are other applications of these non-woven fabrics,” she added.

“These textiles are more environmentally friendly than nylon. Nylon takes 6,000 years to decompose in nature while this takes 300 years for non-woven fabrics,” Sobhdoust said.

“These non-woven textiles have been used as anti-UV in agriculture and they can be applied as a cover for trees to protect them from sunlight,” she noted.

Iranian Company Produces Nano-Based Magnetic Paints

Ahoura Nano Zist San’at company in Iran managed to produce nano-based magnetic paints.

In addition to covering the surface, the magnetic paints create a type of magnetism and this property can be used to stabilize or suspend an object on the wall.

The reason these colors are magnetized is the existence of magnetic particles made of metals or similar to metals in the paint. These particles are very small and are easily dispersed in the paint solvent.

With sufficient sitting of this paint on the surface, it is possible to attach or hang light objects using magnetic pins, and there is no need for other instruments like double-sided adhesives, paper needles, pins or nails.

Iran-Made EGF Drug Treats Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Burns

An Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in indigenizing an epidermal growth factor (EGF) medicine for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and burns.

“For the first time in Iran, we have succeeded in producing epidermal growth factor medicine. This drug is used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and 3rd and 4th grade burns,” Fahimeh Mohammad Hosseini, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

Noting that the primary component of this product is epidermal growth factor, she said, “This growth factor is basically used for wound healing and epidermal cell proliferation.”

“Epidermis is a factor that the body needs to repair all wounds, of course this growth factor is naturally present in the body, but when the body is wounded, the pH of the wounded area changes and the production of the epidermis decreases; therefore, if we add this growth factor to it externally, wound healing will be done faster,” Mohammad Hosseini said.

“Our manufactured drug can be produced in two injectable and topical forms, and we have industrialized the topical type,” she added.

Iran-Made Nano-Based Toothpaste Reduces Tooth Sensitivity

Iranian researchers at a start-up team achieved the formulation of producing toothpastes based on nanohydroxyapatite to reduce tooth sensitivity.

“This toothpaste was produced with a new formulation based on natural derivatives like plant extracts, and valuable oral probiotic compounds and hydroxyapatite nanostructure,” said Hamed Tashakkorian, the head of the research and development (R&D) sector of the team.

“These compounds are effective in controlling the microbial load and preventing the formation of plaque on the teeth,” he added.

He described reducing tooth sensitivity and helping to eliminate bad breath as other benefits of this toothpaste, and stated, “This toothpaste can be used by general consumers and children over 7 years old.”

Iranian Student Finds Way for Mechanical Washing of Test Tubes

A PhD student of Islamic Azad University succeeded in patenting a fully automatic disinfection and sterilization device for laboratory equipment which changes the process of washing test tubes from manual to mechanical and robotic.

“This invention has changed the process of washing test tubes from manual to mechanical and robotic,” Majid Khayyatnejad, a PhD student of Islamic Azad University’s Ardabil branch, who has succeeded in patenting a fully automatic disinfection and sterilization device for laboratory equipment, told ANA.

“Problems like high water consumption and the possibility of disease spreading from contaminated containers to the operator and low precision in washing have been resolved in this method,” he added.

“In this invention, we used a combination of a new washing and Four machines. In this device, the pipes are placed in drawer-like tanks and all the steps of dewatering and soaking are done inside the device for the first time, then they are taken to the washing unit where they are washed by a brush and finally sent to the unit for dewatering by a linear motor,” Khayyatnejad said.

Iranian Researchers Produce Nano-Based Spray for Wound, Infection Treatment

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in using nanotechnology to produce a special spray that treats wounds and skin infections.

“In our company, we have succeeded in producing a spray with a type of tree gum. Silver nanoparticles are used in this spray to accelerate the speed of wound healing,” Mehdi Qahreman Termeh, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

Noting that a certain amount of silver nanoparticles is used in the spray which does not penetrate the body and can heal the wound, he said, “The silver nano particles that we used in the wound healing spray have been approved by Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council and are being produced and supplied to pharmacies.”

“Also, this nano spray accelerates the process of wound healing and the formation of new tissue, and removes pus and infection from the wound. Our product can be used to disinfect bedsores, diabetes, oral thrush, sore throat and uterine infections,” Qahreman Termeh said.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Indigenizes Epicyclic Gear Train

An Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in indigenizing the epicyclic gear train which is used in software, educational, dynamics and vibrations laboratories, general, mechanics and fluid experiments and process control systems.

“We have two machines for gears; one is an epicyclic gearing set and the second is a fixed gear set. Most of these two gears are used in industrial gearboxes, automobiles, agricultural machinery, and engineering designs,” said Ali Akbar Shafadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“These gearboxes are a platform for power transmission, and the purpose of making a solar gear is to teach where and how power can be increased,” he added.

Noting that the epicyclic gear train, in addition to being smaller and more efficient, transmits a higher capacity, Shafadi said, “The educational purpose of this device is that the students use this gearbox to load the rail and obtain the power, etc. of the course that this device navigates. Also they get to know how the gearbox works.”

Iranian Company Designs, Makes Micro CT Scanner

An Iranian knowledge-based company succeeded in designing and manufacturing a micro CT scan device for the first time in the country.

“Our knowledge-based company manufactures advanced X-ray imaging devices and is the first and only manufacturer of industrial and medical micro-CT scanning device in Iran and the Middle East,” said Hossein Qadiri, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“This advanced and powerful imaging technology is used for 3D imaging of all objects with micron resolution, which enables non-destructive evaluation and analysis of micron structures and porous environment of various samples,” he added.

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