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 Make Bipolar Forceps for Precision Surgeries

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in designing and manufacturing three bipolar forceps which are widely used for brain and heart surgeries.

“One of the products made by our company is three bipolar forceps which are used for brain and heart surgeries and other precision surgeries,” Heydar Jelviz, the secretary of the National Diabetes Association of Iran and chairman of the Board of Directors of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

“The size of these forceps is 8 to 26 centimeters. Their tips are also made of gold and silver metallurgy; gold metallurgy allows a more appropriate amount of voltage to be applied to the body's tissue during surgery. Silver metallurgy also prevents scar in the tissue and allows surgery to be performed in an antibacterial environment,” he added.

"Also, the tips of the forceps are not sticky and tissue does not stick to their tips during surgery, which allows the surgeon to perform the surgery at a faster speed,” Jelviz said.

He underlined that the quality of the product is on par with similar Western and German counterparts.

Iran-Made Nano-Based Insulators Reduce Energy Consumption

An Iranian knowledge-based company applied nanotechnology to produce a new type of aerogel insulator used in the petrochemical industry which can save energy to a good extent.

By using aerogel insulators as one of the new and effective solutions in the petrochemical industry, which was developed by a knowledge-based company, energy loss in production systems has been reduced and a significant amount of natural gas has been stored in various processes. This project is in line with the company's efforts to reduce energy imbalance and improve the efficiency of energy resource consumption.

Aerogel insulators, which are used as insulation in various industries, have been able to effectively prevent energy loss due to their very low heat transfer coefficient, and the use of this technology in the company has not only helped reduce costs and improve production efficiency, but has also been effective in protecting the country's energy resources.

Due to their very low heat transfer coefficient, aerogels are considered as one of the best insulators in the field of preventing energy loss. These features have made this type of insulator, compared to other similar global insulators, a suitable option for use in industries with high energy consumption.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Produces Atomic Force Microscope for Nanoscale Imaging

An Iranian knowledge-based company stationed at Pardis Science and Technology Park has managed to produce an atomic force microscope which is used to image and characterize samples at the nanoscale.

“One of our knowledge-based products is the atomic force microscope, which is used to image and characterize samples at the nanoscale. This device uses a sharp-pointed probe to scan the sample surface. During the scanning operation, laser light is emitted to the back of the cantilever and its reflection on a photodiode will result in the formation of an image of the sample surface,” said Seyed Abbas Shahmoradi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

He mentioned the Bio-AFM as another achievement of his company, and said, "This microscope is one of the most important tools for studying samples in biology, because Bio-AFM provides a suitable platform for integrating atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy in biological research projects."

Noting that the Bio-AFM microscope can capture images in different environments with diverse working modes, Shahmoradi said, “This capability allows scientists to study the structure and properties of living cells and other biological samples like DNA and RNA, proteins, viruses, bacteria, and tissues."

“Also, the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) produced by our company, with an accuracy of 0.6 nanometers, is capable of providing images with extremely high resolution. For comparison, the size of the coronavirus is 120 nanometers, while the accuracy of our device is one two-hundredth of this value,” he added.

Iranian Specialists Develop Home-Made Firewall to Confront Security Threats

Iranian researchers at the University of Isfahan succeeded in designing an indigenous firewall called 'Sabalan' which enjoys a user-friendly interface and advanced features and is a response to cyber security threats.

“By utilizing native communication protocols, this firewall enables integrated and centralized management of organizational networks and, by providing comprehensive and diverse solutions, ensures security and precise control of network access for users,” said Mojtaba Mahdavi, a professor at the University of Isfahan and designer of the firewall.

He referred to the challenges facing such projects, and said the high cost of implementation, limitations in customizing some features, and the need to prevent unauthorized access are the most important obstacles.

"To address these challenges, the research team has focused on solutions like strengthening infrastructure, ensuring quality of service, creating strong authentication and access control systems, designing native communication protocols, and developing advanced encryption algorithms," Mahdavi said.

Iranian Scientists Design Molecular Distillation System

Iranian researchers from the faculty of science at the University of Tehran designed and developed a molecular distillation system with the capability of extracting some widely-used pharmaceutical compounds and supplements.

“Molecular distillation is a system for separating and extracting various compounds, including pharmaceutical, food, petrochemical, and chemical materials,” said Mehran Habibi Rezayee, a professor at the faculty of biology of the University of Tehran.

He explained that vitamins (A, B, C, E, D, K), fatty acids (omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9), minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.), some purified compounds from medicinal plants, some botanical compounds like caffeine and curcumin, some marine origin compounds like beta-carotene and hydroxyapatite, and different amino acids are considered as complementary drugs, among which, things like omega 3 and vitamin E are highly consumed.

“The main axis of the production technology of these supplements is the concentration section. Countries that have this technology use the molecular distillation system on an industrial scale, which has different types with different functions. One of the most modern and complex types of molecular distillation systems is the Short Path Distillation type. This system operates based on evaporation under extreme vacuum and can separate and purify compounds at molecular scales and selectively remove impurities,” Habibi Rezayee said.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Produces Organic Yeast, Milk Acidophilus Bacteria

A knowledge-based company in Iran succeeded in obtaining the technical know-how to produce yeast extract rich in amino acids, B-family vitamins and milk acidophilus bacteria.

Yeast extract is one of the company's knowledge-based products. Yeast is a single-celled microorganism from the fungi type, and yeast extract consists of contents of a yeast cell without its wall, which is used as a food supplement, flavoring, or nutrient in microbial culture media.

Yeast extract is rich in amino acids and B-family vitamins (except B12) and is used as a nitrogen source in microbial culture media.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is also called ‘milk acidophilus bacteria’, is another product of the company. This bacterium enjoys high resistance to acidic conditions and, by working in a small amount of oxygen, ferments carbohydrates and produces lactic acid. On the other hand, it is important for women's health in combating harmful bacteria in the reproductive system.

In some cases, in yogurts with low pH, it contributes to creating the right texture and flavor, along with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus bacteria.

Iranian Company Manufactures Rapid Gas Detection Kits for Oil, Mining Industries

Technologists of a knowledge-based company in Iran achieved the technical know-how of manufacturing rapid gas detection test kits which is used in oil, gas and mining industries.

“Instant gas detection test kits are highly complex and technical. These kits are designed and manufactured in the form of vials, and their function is similar to ampoules that are broken at both ends and placed in a simple pump,” Mohammad Javad Kargar, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

He explained that the pump draws air into the vial from one side and expels it from the other which leads to detection of different gases and environmental parameters.

“One of the main applications of these kits is in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. When restarting refineries or petrochemical plants after a shutdown, the gas in the lines and space should be examined in a short period of time and by using these tubes, the type and amount of gas in the environment can be measured in a few seconds,” Kargar said.

“This product has vital applications, specially in mines, and by analyzing and detecting the type of gas, it can prevent accidents and losses in mines,” he added.

Iran-Made Smart Spoon Reduces Hand Tremors in Parkinson's Patients

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in making a smart spoon which helps the Parkinson's patients by reducing their hand tremors.

“Our company is active in making rehabilitation equipment for Parkinson's patients and has manufactured different products so far, the most important of which is the smart spoon that we have produced for people with hand tremors, such as the elderly and Parkinson's patients,” Seydeh Fatemeh Hosseini, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

She explained that the spoon neutralizes hand tremors, preventing hand tremors from being transmitted to the head of the spoon, adding, “It directs the vibrations so that food does not fall off the spoon and the person can eat without the need for help from others.”

“The spoon is equipped with electromechanical systems and a series of sensors that measure the amount of hand tremor. The processors inside this spoon calculate the vibrations and separate them from the voluntary movements. Then, based on the commands they give, the spoon head is moved and controlled so that the food does not spill,” Hosseini said.

Iranian Firm Develops Software for Integrated Management of Online Sales Channels

An Iranian technological company has developed a comprehensive and practical software for the management of online sales channels which enjoys simplicity and efficiency.

“The software is designed to simplify sales processes and business management at any time and place, and integrated management of sales channels is one of the most important features of the product,” said Farshid Deylami, the managing director of the company.

Noting that with this software, businesses can manage all their sales channels in a single platform and thus focus on increasing sales, he said, “Without the need for specialized accounting know-how, the software also allows for automatic registration of purchase and sale invoices and financial management.”

Deylami described comprehensive reporting and connection to various sales portals (marketplace) as other features of the software, saying that businesses can receive sales reports in different time periods and by sales channels, and thus analyze their performance.

“This software also provides the possibility to connect to popular marketplaces, helping businesses to display their products to more customers,” he stated, adding that payment links, warehousing, in-person sales reporting, free updates, and a free SMS panel are among other features of the software.

Iranian Company Produces Herbal Spray for Treatment of Lung Cancer

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in using the black seed extract to produce anti-lung cancer drug.

“One of the advantages of using black seeds is that it has no toxic effect on healthy cells at cytotoxic concentrations on lung cancer cells,” said Jalaloddin Qanavi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

Noting that the black seed oil in his company was extracted after choosing the best seeds using a cold press device and pre-treating the black seeds in liquid nitrogen, he said, “The results were compared with the extraction method by using microwaves, and the purification of thymoquinone was carried out by using chromatography and HPLC techniques.”

“Next, the cytotoxic effects of thymoquinone on A549 cancer cells and normal HGF cells were investigated and showed good results,” Qanavi said.

On-Site Repair Possible by Iran-Made Oil Valves

Experts at an Iranian knowledge-based company managed to manufacture 42-inch ball valves with on-site repair capability which is an important step towards the self-sufficiency of the oil industry.

“This type of ball valve, which is being manufactured by a domestic manufacturer with experience in the oil and gas industry, provides the operator with the capability to repair on-site without the need to disconnect the valve from the pipeline in a completely optimal way,” said Nasrollah Zareyee, the managing director of the company.

He added that the achievement has saved the country three million of dollars in oil industry.

“We hope that by utilizing the capacities of domestic manufacturers and knowledge-based companies as much as possible, we will be able to complete the development of projects more quickly,” Zareyee said.

Iranian Firm Makes Chemical-Free Herbal Rodenticide

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in producing a herbal rodenticide which is free of any chemical toxins.

“This product is completely unique and there is no similar counterpart in the world. The idea of starting the production of this rodenticide was that it was free from any harmful effects of toxins,” said Seyed Mehdi Mahjoub, the managing director of the company.

“One of the greatest advantages of this material is that it is natural and herbal. The process of this product does not require water and thus does not produce any wastewater,” he added.

“One of the major disadvantages of these chemical pesticides is the environmental pollution, like water and soil, but because we produce this rodenticide from plant waste and it acts physically, not chemically and toxically, during a series of processes, therefore, it returns to the nature without causing any environmental pollution or poisoning of agricultural products,” Mahjoub said.

Iran-Made Nano-Kit Detects Colon Cancer Rapidly, Easily

A technological company in Iran has managed to produce special kits which can detect colon cancer instantly and easily.

So far, 600,000 people have used these kits within the framework of the screening program, and the number is expected to increase.

These rapid detection tests for colon cancer screening are instant, non-invasive, inexpensive, and can be performed in all geographical areas.

They do not require laboratory equipment and facilities and due to their low cost, easy use, and quick results visible (often between 10 and 20 minutes) with the naked eye and without the need for experts, they can be used as a screening test at the community level.

This method does not require advanced equipment and can be easily performed anywhere.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Companies to Participate in India’s IETF 2025

Several Iranian knowledge-based firms are due to participate in the International Engineering & Technology Fair (IETF) in India.

The 26th edition of IETF 2025 is planned to be held in New Delhi on February 18-22.

It will display innovations through focused shows in industry sectors – Artificial Intelligence (AI), Capital Machinery, Digital Gaming, Fluid Power, Industrial Automation, Robotics and Electronics, Modern Logistics Solutions, Metal and Metallurgy, Water and Waste Management, Net Zero Products & Solutions and Consumer Durables and Electronics, and Plant Equipment, Component, Factory and Plant.

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