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:
Tehran to Host Eurasia Expo 2025 in February
Iran is due to host the Third Eurasia Exhibition titled ‘Eurasia Expo 2025’ Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on February 21-24.
The exhibition which will be held by the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) will be participated by trade-economic companies and technological- and knowledge-based firms.
The exhibition will be held in Tehran after a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed between Iran and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and due to the importance of developing economic and trade cooperation with the member states of the union.
This prestigious international exhibition will be held for a period of three days with the participation of trade-business delegations from EAEU member states, technological and knowledge-based companies to provide a platform for interaction, exchange of experiences and achievements, international cooperation, and export of domestically manufactured products to the Eurasian countries.
The Eurasia Expo 2025 will be a platform for showcasing products in the fields of oil, gas, petrochemicals and related industries, agriculture and food industries, automobiles, transportation, tourism, medicine and medical equipment, banking, insurance and guarantee funds, knowledge-based products and services, and advanced technologies.
Iran Declares 18 Percent Jump in Non-Oil Exports in 10 Month
Iranian Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati announced that the country’s non-oil exports reached $47.8 billion in the first 10 months of the current Persian calendar year (to end on March 20), showing an 18% hike.
Hemmati said that the country imported $56 billion worth of non-oil goods, reflecting a modest growth of only three percent compared to the same period last year.
During this period, the country imported $6.3 billion worth of gold, he added.
Hemmati stated that Iran's balance of trade surplus, including both oil and non-oil sectors, exceeded $28 billion.
Customs data showed exports increased from $40.4 billion in the same period last year, while imports grew 3 percent to $56 billion.
Iran Developing Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Industry
The director of Iran’s Nano Battery Network announced that the country is moving towards the production of a new generation of advanced lithium-ion batteries
“Lithium-ion batteries are a new generation of batteries in the world that have experienced significant growth in the last three decades. Now, some work has started in this field initially in Iran, but on a global scale, we have a big gap with leading countries. More investments and efforts are needed to be made in this field,” Mohammad Ali Baqerian told ANA.
“Fortunately, several knowledge-based companies have now entered this field and have been able to develop these technologies to a Technology Maturity Level (TRL) of six, and have even made innovations in some of these components that are notable on a global scale,” he added.
Iran to Hold Specialized Electronics Bootcamp
A specialized electronics bootcamp is due to be held by the Iran International Innovation Zone with the aim of training and attracting specialized personnel in knowledge-based and technological companies
Sajjad Abbasi Fashami, an official at Pardis Science and Technology Park, underlined the successful experience of specialized bootcamps focusing on training and employment of specialized personnel, and said, “The specialized electronics bootcamp will be held in the winter and spring with the efforts of the Iran International Innovation Zone and the support of the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy.”
“This bootcamp is designed based on the needs announced by the knowledge-based and technological companies that are members of the Iran International Innovation Zone,” he added.
“The specialized electronics bootcamp includes training in technical and operational skills, soft skills, field visits to knowledge-based companies and industrial units active in the electronics field, implementation of operational projects, and holding several experience transfer panels,” Abbasi Fashami said.
Iranian Company Supplies Nano-Based Disinfectant, Wound-Healing Products
An Iranian company has produced and marketed world-class disinfectant and wound-healing products by using silver nanoparticles and other biocompatible materials.
One of the important achievements of the company is the production of disinfectant products, which are designed and manufactured based on silver nanocolloid technology and can destroy a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. These products are available in various types, including wound, burn, hand, surface, medical device and skin disinfectant solutions.
By producing hemostatic products, the company has taken a major step in the management of severe and uncontrollable bleeding. These products are designed to quickly stop arterial, venous and capillary bleeding in various conditions, including trauma, surgery, dentistry and nosebleeds.
The company has revolutionized the field of wound healing by producing bioactive dressings based on chitosan. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from the shells of marine crustaceans and the cell walls of fungi. It is recognized as one of the most important natural materials in modern medicine due to its antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and ability to accelerate wound healing.
Iran-Made Ultra-Hard Nanocoating Device Presented to Int’l Market
A knowledge-based company in Iran has produced and marketed advanced ultra-hard coating devices by using the PVD method which can increase the lifespan of industrial parts by up to 200 times and create a major revolution in the car-making, oil and gas, aerospace and medical industries.
Physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology is one of the advanced surface engineering methods that greatly increases the resistance of components to wear, corrosion and friction by creating nanostructured coatings on them.
In this method, metals like titanium, chromium and zirconium are evaporated in vacuum conditions and deposited as thin layers on the surface of the components. These coatings not only increase the lifespan of the components, but also improve their performance efficiency.
The machines of the Iranian knowledge-based company, utilize modern technologies and enjoy world-class capabilities that make them competitive with foreign models. With these machines simultaneously performing nanolayer coatings with different compositions is possible and the coating speed in this machine is very high.
The nanocoatings produced by the company have many applications in various industries, including car-making industry, oil and gas industry, medical industry, aerospace industry.
The knowledge-based company has so far succeeded in exporting its products to China and is in talks with several other countries for exports.
Iranian Company Uses Nanotechnology for Formation of Natural Bone Materials
Iranian researchers at a knowledge-based company succeeded in developing biocompatible nanomaterials that, by accurately mimicking the structure and function of bone tissue, lead the process of bone repair and regeneration in a natural and efficient way.
“The hydroxyapatite product manufactured by our company is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of phosphorus and calcium for the human body,” Mir Abdollah Seyed Sajjadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, told ANA.
He explained that the product is used as bone powder for orthopedic surgeons, dentists, as a dietary supplement, and also in the production of health and cosmetic products.
“The use of hydroxyapatite powder can meet people's needs in strengthening bones and increasing dental health, preventing reduced absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and therefore using this product can help improve people's quality of life,” Seyed Sajjadi said.
Official: South Pars Providing 73 Percent of Iran’s Gas
An Iranian official announced that the South Pars filed is now providing 73% of the country’s needed gas.
“Today, the complex is producing 73% of the country’s gas,” said Saeed Heidari, the commercial manager of the South Pars Gas Complex.
He highlighted that over 95% of the strategic parts and equipment needed for the South Pars Gas Complex refineries have now been localized.
“We expect that, with the excellent cooperation of domestic manufacturers and producers, this capability will reach 100% this year,” Heidari said.
He added that in collaboration with 120 domestic and new technology-based firms (NTBFs), over 11,500 essential equipment data-x-items and goods have been localized for the South Pars refineries.
Heidari stated that domestic manufacturers have consistently proven to be a strong pillar of support for the South Pars Gas Complex.
Iranian Biologists Improve Productivity of Rose
Iranian researchers succeeded in improving the productivity of rose and its wider use in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and health industries.
“Phytochemical, molecular study and pollination incompatibility in a number of rose genotypes and their hybrids" is the title of Hamid Ahadi's doctoral thesis, which he completed with the support of the National Science Foundation of Iran.
“Considering the importance of rose essential oil in the perfumery and food industries, the exports of this valuable product can significantly contribute to the country's economy. Therefore, the improvement of rose to achieve new varieties with high-quality essential oil percentage is very important,” said Ahadi.
“In this project, in addition to the phytochemical study of selected genotypes, targeted hybridization was carried out to achieve superior hybrids, and transcriptome studies to identify genes related to essential oil production,” he added.
“The results of this research can take a big step towards the classical and molecular improvement of Rose,” Ahadi said.
Several Iranian Knowledge-Based Companies Attend Dubai’s ‘Arab Health’ Expo
Iran's national pavilion was set up at the ‘Arab Health’ exhibition held in Dubai on January 27-30, 2025.
Arab Health 2025, the intersection of cutting-edge technologies, revolutionary concepts, and healthcare experts, is reshaping the healthcare landscape.
The event took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 27 to 30 January 2025.
It provided a platform to address and outline global challenges in the field of health care, while creating opportunities for participants to connect with stakeholders from around the world and share the advancements and achievements of the sector.
The Iranian knowledge-based companies which attended the exhibition displayed their latest products in the fields of advanced medical equipment, smart therapeutic devices, disease diagnosis technologies, biotechnology products, and specialized health software.
Iran-Made Nano-Based Products Protect Vehicle, Construction Parts
An Iranian knowledge-based company used nanotechnology to make special products which can be used to protect the construction and automotive parts and increase their strength.
With five products in the construction and automotive fields that have nanoscale certification, the company has taken an important step towards improving the quality and extending the life of structures and cars.
The company has used nanotechnology to design products for different parts of the car that, in addition to increasing beauty, help maintain and extend the lifespan of the car.
Car wash containing nanoparticles, car wheel and dashboard polish and cleaner, car engine wash, hydrophobic cement-based mortar containing nanoparticles, and polyurethane-based superhydrophobic coating containing nanoparticles are the products made by the company.
Iranian Firm Produces Coated Cotton Seeds for Saline Lands
A knowledge-based company in Iran has managed to produce coated cotton seeds for cultivation in saline lands that are available to farmers at one-third of the price of imported products.
“Our company has succeeded in producing coated cotton seeds that are available to the farmers at one-third of the price of similar imported products. This will eliminate the need for the country to import cotton seeds,” said Mohsen Fathi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.
“Seed coating is one of the most important economic methods to improve seed performance. In the seed coating process, materials like fungicides, insecticides, immunostimulants, growth hormones, low-consumption elements, and other compounds are directly applied to the seed,” he added.
Fathi explained that the direct use of fungicides and insecticides directly on the seeds reduces the consumption of these substances at the beginning of the growing season and reduces their environmental risks.
“Also, seed coating causes uniformity in seed size and facilitates mechanical planting of seeds. This causes uniform and better green fields, and as a result, the yield and income of farmers increase,” he added.
Afghanistan Exports 29.5 Million Dollars Worth of Saffron in 9 Months
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that over 42,200 kilograms of Afghan saffron, valued at $29.588 million, were exported to various countries during the first nine months of 1403 (solar year started on March 20th, 2024).
Akundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized that most Afghan saffron exports were made to India, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Australia, and Turkey, Tolonews reported.
"In the first nine months of (1403 solar year), Afghanistan exported 42,200 kilograms of saffron, worth approximately $29.588 million, to countries including India, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Australia, Turkey, and others,” the spokesperson said.
Afghan saffron, recognized as one of the country’s most valuable agricultural products, enjoys global acclaim.
Iranian Scientists Develop Ultra-Thin Absorbers
Iranian Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Younes Ra’di and his research team introduced a new concept for designing ultra-thin absorbers that enables absorbing layers with a record-high bandwidth-to-thickness ratio, potentially several times greater than that of absorbers designed using conventional approaches.
Absorbers designed based on this concept can achieve a bandwidth-to-thickness ratio arbitrarily close to the ultimate bound. Utilizing this concept, they designed and experimentally verified an absorber yielding a very high bandwidth-to-thickness ratio.
“Our findings have the potential to make significant contributions to various industries, including defense, energy harvesting, and advanced communication systems, by addressing critical challenges in electromagnetic absorption technology,” said Ra’di.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work attracting international recognition, not only from the scientific community but also from key players across various industries,” he added.
“I am immensely proud of my team for their dedication and hard work, which have led to these groundbreaking results. Publishing in a prestigious journal like Nature Communications is a testament to their exceptional efforts and the importance of our research,” Ra’di noted.
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