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 Scientists Find New Method to Turn E-Waste into Gold

Iranian researchers invented a new method to recover gold from electronic waste and reduce carbon dioxide at the same time.

Amin Zadeh Nazari, a senior researcher and postdoctoral scientist in the laboratory of Professor Alireza Abbas Pour Raad at Cornell University, said that given that approximately 50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually and only 20 percent of it is recycled, this approach could help reduce the environmental burden.

Zadeh Nazari synthesized two novel vinyl-linked covalent organic frameworks (VCOFs), materials designed to extract gold ions and nanoparticles from discarded circuit boards. Among them, one VCOF showed exceptional selectivity, absorbing 99.9% of gold while avoiding other metals like nickel and copper.

"We can use gold-containing COFs to convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals and by converting carbon dioxide into value-added materials, we not only reduce the demand for waste disposal, but also provide environmental and practical benefits. It's a win-win for the environment," he added.

Iran to Launch Global Innovation City

The head of the National Park of Soft Sciences, Technology and Cultural Industries of Iran announced that a Global Innovation City and Creative Cultural Industries will be created to become the largest tourist attraction in creative industries.

“The National Park of Soft Sciences, Technologies and Cultural Industries is responsible for establishing the Global Innovation City and Creative Cultural Industries,” Imani Khoshkhou said.

“In this global city, whose statute is in the final stages, we will encounter a complex that combines production, export and transfer of experience; a complex that will be the largest tourist attraction in the city of sunshine with an infrastructure of 200-300 hectares,” he added.

“Countries that have cultural differences can communicate with each other through this medium, even all provinces can be in this city,” Imani Khoshkhou said.

He described fashion, digital cinema, tourism, specialized categories of cultural industries, recreational facilities, etc. as the fields present in the city.

Iranian Scientists Indigenize Advanced Nanocatalysts of RCD Unit

Advanced nanocatalysts were indigenized by the Iranian researchers for the RCD (Reduced Crude Desulfurization) unit which is a process for desulfurization of distillation tower bottoms.

One of the most important goals of this process is to reduce the amount of sulfur compounds (HDS) and other pollutants from the feed of RFCC unit and reducing the nanocatalyst consumed in RFCC unit, which is economically very profitable for refineries.

The feed entering the RCD process from the bottoms of atmospheric and vacuum distillation towers (AR, VR) is pumped to the top of fixed bed reactors after passing through the feed filter. The hydrogen output from the makeup compressors also enters the reactors from below, and the HDS reaction takes place in the presence of a nanocatalyst in the reactor. After passing through separators and separating the liquid and gas phases, the output product goes to two sections, fractionator and H2S scrubber, respectively.

In the first section, the products of the unit include light gases, light naphtha, heavy naphtha, and low-sulfur fuel oil. In the second section, sulfur and hydrogen gas are separated by amine. The nanocatalysts used in the RCD unit include nickel-molybdenum/alumina nanocatalysts and cobalt-molybdenum/alumina nanocatalysts. Nickel-molybdenum nanocatalysts enjoy the caopability to hydrogenate compounds, and cobalt-molybdenum nanocatalysts are better at hydrogenation.

The unit of RCD (Reduced Crude Desulfurization) was applied for decreasing of Sulfur, CCR (coradson carbon residue), metals of heavy feeds AR (Atmospheric Residue), VR (Vacuum Residue), and also prepared the feed of RFCC (Reduced Fluid Catalytic Cracking) unit.

Iranian Scientists Make Refractometer to Measure Dissolved Materials

Iranian technologists at a knowledge-based company produced a refractometer device for measuring dissolved substances in liquids and the flow of liquids applied in different industries.

“A refractometer or Brix meter is a special tool that is used to measure the Brix (level of dissolved solids in a solution) of a liquid using the refractive index. This tool is designed to measure, display and control the concentration of transparent and opaque solutions,” said Mostafa Qassemi, the sales manager of the knowledge-based company.

“By measuring the refractive index and temperature of the solution as factors affecting the concentration, this device displays the concentration of the solution in Brix units after performing complex calculations and three stages of calibration and compensation,” he explained.

Noting that at present, different types of inline, laboratory and portable refractometers produced by the company are used in large food industry factories in Iran, Qassemi said that other products of the company are conductivity meters in two main models of inline and desktop, and electromagnetic flowmeters in over 50 different models and sizes, which have wide application in domestic and foreign industries.

Knowledge-Based Firm in Iran Makes Slide Scanner for Microscopy

The Iran-made slide scanner is able to convert microscopic images into digital ones, paving the ground for researchers to accurately study and easily share the results.

“We are active in the field of producing slide scanners. These devices include a camera and software that are installed on a microscope. Using this system, users can produce high-quality, very large-sized images of microscopic samples. These digital images allow users to examine the details of the sample in detail and share them with others. They can also provide others with the ability to view the slides online by creating a QR Code,” Mohammad Javad Zamani, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

“Inspired by the ideas available in the market, we have produced a completely indigenous product that is half the price of similar foreign products. Of course, we have not had access to any source code and have designed and developed our product only based on the existing ideas,” he added.

“While conventional cameras are only able to take a picture of what is seen in the eyepiece of a microscope, our system allows for a single, large image of the entire sample," Zamani said, adding that educational centers, medical diagnostic laboratories (both public and private), and medical universities are among the main customers of their products.

Iranian Scientists Produce Anti-Corrosion Viscometer

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company designed and produced a device to measure the rheological properties of oilfield fluids and acids.

“The HPHT anti-corrosion viscometer is a small device designed to measure the rheological properties of oilfield fluids and acids. This device includes several innovations that meet the needs of the industry, including ease of use, improved measurement technology, temperature performance, and ease of servicing,” said Mohammad Keramati, a technologist at the knowledge-based company.

"We were able to produce the viscosity device which was required by Sharif University of Technology," he added, noting that the product can measure the viscosity parameter at high temperature and pressure and has a high advantage over foreign samples because of its lower price.

"This device was manufactured for Sharif University of Technology but other industries like oil, petrochemicals, etc. can also benefit from it."

Iranian Company Produces Herbal-Based Pesticides Based on Nanocapsules

Technologists of a knowledge-based company in Iran produced nano-encapsulated pesticides by using herbal plants which prevent toxins to remain in the agricultural products.

“Using modern technologies, we were able to use these natural materials in production of pesticides that both kill pests and do not pose a risk to consumer’s health. One of the interesting features of these pesticides is their high durability so that these pesticides do not expire during long-term storage,” said Maryam Negahban, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

She explained that the formulation of these plant-based pesticides is based on nano and microencapsulation, and this technology can be used to produce a variety of safe pesticides that are free from chemical toxins.

“Our company has a record of producing nanocapsule polymer pesticide formulations for health pests, producing fumigating powders and tablets for stored products as an alternative to methyl bromide and phosphine, encapsulating insect pathogenic fungi (biopesticides), encapsulating various types of bacteria, producing herbal medicine to control the Varroa mite, a bee parasite, and disinfectants and external parasites for livestock, poultry, and birds,” Negahban said.

Iranian Experts Make 1st Specialized Device to Determine Authenticity of Saffron

Iranian researchers from Sharif University of Technology succeeded in designing and building a portable spectrometer for analyzing saffron.

A knowledge-based company stationed at the Science and Technology Park of Sharif University of Technology, cooperation with the knowledge-based Pouyesh Tadbir Karaneh has taken an important step towards overcoming the challenges in the production, packaging and export of this precious spice by designing and building a portable spectrometer system for analyzing saffron in the wavelength range of 400 to 1,000 nanometers for rapid, on-site and in the solid phase analysis.

“The portable spectrometer for analyzing saffron based on various techniques of artificial intelligence, pattern recognition and regression will create a huge revolution for Iranian saffron to process the spectra obtained from the analysis of saffron samples from different regions of Iran and to verify the authenticity of saffron, determine the geographical origin of saffron samples and also create an identity card,” said Hadi Parastar Shahri, an associate professor of the Faculty of Chemistry and the managing-director of Pars Sanjesh Noavar Sharif Company.

“The portable spectrophotometer for saffron analysis will be the first specialized device for determining the authenticity of saffron in Iran which will allow the user to perform on-site analysis,” he added.

Iranian Company Produces Anti-Corrosion Solutions for Refineries, Petrochemical Plants

Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company stationed at Mazandaran Science and Technology Park succeeded in production of various anti-corrosion solutions for refineries and petrochemical plants.

“We have succeeded in producing various solutions required by refineries and petrochemical plants, and one of the most important of these solutions is sulfur releaser which prevents sulfur grains from sticking to each other and to the surface and prevents molten sulfur droplets from spreading on the surface by reducing their surface tension. This product is used in the sulfur granulation unit of all gas refineries,” Golnesa Soltan Mohammadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

“Anti-sediment and anti-corrosion solutions are other products in this series; water hardness and active oxygen in water cause sediment and corrosion of pipes and surfaces of facilities and equipment, respectively, which has a significant negative impact on their efficiency. These substances prevent deposits and corrosion on the surfaces of hot water boilers, heat exchangers, and other equipment by dissolving in water and attaching to calcium and magnesium ions in the water, and by removing active oxygen in the water,” she added.

Soltan Mohammadi explained that the product is used to prevent deposits on the surfaces of hot water and steam boilers and heat exchangers, prevent corrosion on the surfaces of hot water and steam boilers and heat exchangers, and remove active oxygen from water.

Iranian Company Makes Nano 3D Optical Surface Profilometer

The technologists at a knowledge-based company managed to mass-produce nano 3D optical surface profilometers.

“This device operates based on the phenomenon of interference in two modes of white light microscopic interferometry and phase shift and is capable of measuring the shape and roughness of surfaces with an accuracy of the order of nanometers,” Ehsan Ahadi Akhlaqi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“One of the key features of this device is that, by working with an optical approach, it is completely non-destructive and does not cause any damage to the sample under test,” he added.

Noting that high accuracy and repeatability are some advantages of the device, Ahadi Akhlaqi said, “The nano 3D optical surface profilometer has a faster data acquisition speed and offers a wider field of view. This device is also capable of measuring larger roughnesses without reducing accuracy.”

“The 3D optical nanometer surface measuring device has many applications in various sciences and industries like physics, optics, chemistry, polymers, metallurgy, mechanics, life sciences, and pharmacy,” he stated.

Iranian Knowledge-Based Firm Makes Traffic Violation Recording System

Iranian technologists at a knowledge-based company developed a traffic violation recording system which has reduced traffic-related fatalities in the country.

“We presented the first radar device for recording speed violations that was in accordance with the World Health Organization standards and installed it in the cities of Tehran and Shiraz. We have now been able to produce a large number of traffic violation recording systems that are based on those standards,” said Amir Ahmad Sepehri, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

He described 60 percent reduction in traffic fatalities in Tehran as one of the advantages of the system, and said, “Speed violations which led to fatalities have decreased from 1,800 people per year to less than 800 people.”

Sepehri noted that 240 speed violation recording devices have been installed in Tehran.

Iran-Made Oxygen-Generating Microneedles Treat Chronic Wounds

Iranian researchers developed a biodegradable microneedle patch with oxygen-releasing capabilities that can treat chronic wounds sooner.

A group of researchers, including Mohammad Mehdi Samandari, Ashkan Novin, Pejman Qelich, and Farnoush Saeedinejad developed biodegradable and mechanically strong methacrylic gelatin-based microneedle patches that can penetrate into the tissues and release oxygen after exposure to body interstitial fluid and wound exudates.

In this study, the oxygen release rate and biocompatibility of the developed microneedle patches were evaluated and optimized with different compositions.

Interestingly, in-vitro studies showed that the optimized compositions could release oxygen at therapeutic levels and significantly increase the viability of chronically hypoxic cells to match cells with normal concentrations of oxygen.

In-vivo tests also proved that the microneedle patches with optimized oxygen production did not harm or disrupt the healing process of a mouse with severe skin wounds. This therapeutic strategy could create new opportunities to eliminate hypoxia and heal chronic wounds.

Iranian Company Makes 1st AI-Based Air Conditioning Controller

 Iranian experts at a knowledge-based company produced AI-based air conditioning controllers for the first time in the country.

“The air conditioning controllers produced automatically measure and control the temperature and air conditioning of the house,” Samyar Haqiqat, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.

Noting that in the past, the controllers were linear, he said, “We were able to design and produce them based on AI and this progress was accompanied by obtaining a knowledge-based certificate and has led to the mass production of these products.”

“This product enjoys many advantages and the device acts based on information and calculations to predict the switching on and off of the facility, and it has deep learning capabilities, meaning that we enter the building load calculations based on AI into the microcontroller, and this microcontroller stores the information and energy calculations of the space for 365 days a year,” Haqiqat said.

“Also, this controller, with its ability to communicate with room temperature and humidity sensors and weather sites, can accurately predict the temperature of the desired environment, which saves 35% energy,” he added.

Nanobubble Technology Helps Farmers in Iran to Double Annual Aquatic Production

Studies in Iran have shown that, given the potential of nanobubbles, it is possible to double the annual production of aquatic products with the help of this technology.

At present, equipment related to nanobubble technology is produced domestically in Iran and this equipment is used in different industries like water purification, agriculture and fisheries. The use of nanobubble technology in some cities and villages has contributed significantly to the improvement of water quality in Iran. Nanobubble technology has been used in numerous greenhouses throughout the country, and this technology has been applied in the greenhouse sector too.

One of the areas that has a very high potential for utilizing nanobubble technology is the aquaculture industry. Nanobubble technology can have advantages for this sector like creating supersaturated oxygen conditions in ponds, ideal and uniform distribution of oxygen, and improving water quality. Reducing losses and significantly increasing production are other benefits of using nanobubble devices in aquaculture industry.

The annual production of aquatic products in the country's 25,000 aquaculture farms is about 500,000 tons, and if all these farms are equipped with the nanobubble system, the production will increase 100 percent.

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