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 Company Develops 2 Nanostructured Anodized Coating for Aluminum
An Iranian company managed to develop two new nanostructured anodized coating technologies which are resistant to wear and corrosion, can be printed with nanometer-scale structures, and improve mechanical durability and appearance at the same time.
Alborz Pasargad Aluminum Company has taken an important step to improve the durability and performance of aluminum profiles by producing two nanostructured technologies in the field of aluminum coating.
These two technologies, which have been awarded nanoscale certification, include nanostructured anodized coating with the ability to be printed with nanoscale structures and corrosion.
The wear and corrosion-resistant nanostructured anodized coating is the result of a controlled anodizing process with a porous structure at the nanoscale. In this process, a special electrolyte solution, proprietary additives, and precise application of electrochemical parameters are used to form a ceramic nanostructure layer based on aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) on the surface of the aluminum profile or sheet. The structure of this layer consists of nanotubes perpendicular to the surface, which are bonded to the base aluminum as a composite and integrated layer, significantly increasing the surface resistance to corrosion, abrasion and environmental factors.
This technology is specially important in challenging applications such as exterior structures, signboards, railings, doors and windows, and equipment exposed to moisture and industrial pollution. Due to its low coefficient of friction, high color fastness and good appearance durability, the use of this nano-coating not only increases the product's lifespan, but also reduces the need for periodic repairs and replacements.
The second technology, nanostructured anodized coating with infiltration printing capability, has provided a new possibility in decorating and personalizing aluminum surfaces.
This technology, by utilizing the nanoscale porosity created in the surface, allows the penetration of paint or ink into the underlying layer of the coating. As a result, the design and color are fixed within the coating structure and do not fade, scratch or peel, unlike traditional surface printing methods. This advantage is a significant innovation for signage, decorative pieces, and architectural equipment where appearance is of great importance.
Iranian Firm Makes Nano-Based Wound-Healing Products
An Iranian knowledge-based company managed to produce innovative wound-healing and hemostatic products by using nanotechnology.
“A group of wound-healing products were made in our company for the first time in Iran and even the world, using natural biopolymers. These biopolymers were extracted from natural resources within the country and indigenized. We also managed to register five international European patents for these products,” said Soheila Salahshour Kordestani, the managing director of Chitotech company.
Several product groups have been made at Chitotech company. The first group is wound healers, which include a large family of products and are used for all types of wounds, specially chronic and resistant wounds; the second group of products is related to hemostatic agents. These products are widely used in surgeries, specially for patients with blood clotting problems, such as hemophiliacs. We have now expanded our portfolio of these products. Some of these hemostatic agents are designed to be suitable for home use, for instance, for superficial cuts or scrapes that occur in everyday life,” she noted.
‘One of our new products, made with nanotechnology, is a type of hemostatic agent that is truly unique in the world. The outstanding feature of these products is the use of silver nanotechnology,” Salahshour Kordestani said.
Iranian Company Develops LOAD System for Rapid Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Specialists of an Iranian company combined microfluidic technology and centrifugal force to design a system which automatically performs the ELISA test process for prostate cancer diagnosis on a small disk.
“In our company, we worked on a new technology called Lab-On-a-Disk or laboratory on a disk (LOAD). This product works in such a way that the entire process that is carried out in a medical diagnostic laboratory is implemented on a human sample, on a disk,” said Abbas Ramyar, a faculty member of Noshirvan University of Technology in Babol and the chairman of the board of directors of the company.
“Our platform is designed based on Lab-on-a-Disk technology and includes a disk that has microchannels and multiple reservoirs. One of these reservoirs is intended for the entry of the blood sample and the other for the antibodies used in the diagnostic process,” he added.
Noting that all solutions that need to be added to the system by the operator at different stages are pre-loaded in separate reservoirs on the disk, Ramyar added that the system also includes a disk player that controls the movement of fluids inside the disk.
Men Dying More than Women from 3 Common Diseases
A global analysis reveals that there are sex-based health disparities in the prevalence and outcomes of hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.
In a groundbreaking global study, researchers have uncovered a troubling trend: men are more likely than women to suffer from, and die due to, three major health conditions, yet they’re also less likely to seek medical care.
Published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine, the study was led by Angela Chang from the University of Southern Denmark. The research focused on hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, using global data to track how these diseases affect people differently based on sex and age.
The researchers found that while many health policies treat men and women the same, the risks and outcomes often aren’t. By comparing disease rates and differences in diagnosis and treatment between males and females, the researchers aim to spotlight these hidden health gaps and help close them.
The analysis identified significant differences between the sexes at each step in the “health pathway,” which includes exposure to a risk factor, development of the condition, diagnosis, treatment, and death. Males and females received different care for hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and AIDS in 200, 39, and 76 countries, respectively.
Males had higher rates of disease and higher rates of death compared to females, and in some countries, were less likely to seek out health care and adhere to treatment. In most countries, males were also more likely to smoke, while females were more like to be obese and engage in unsafe sex.
Overall, the study suggests that public health professionals need to develop strategies to encourage males to participate in preventive and health care services. The researchers also highlight the importance of examining health data by sex to understand health inequities and guide appropriate interventions at multiple points along the health pathway. They conclude that we need more comprehensive datasets for these and other conditions so that we can monitor for sex differences and implement equitable health care policies.
Iranian Firm Produces Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries
An Iranian knowledge-based company has managed to indigenize one of the most vital components of lithium batteries, electrolyte, used in electric cars.
“We are active in the field of electrolyte production for lithium batteries in our company. These types of batteries have 4 main components, one of the most sensitive of which is electrolyte,” said Mohammad Pakniyyat, a researcher at a knowledge-based company.
Noting that electrolyte is very precise and advanced in terms of formulation, he explained that it should create an electronic conduction process, does not create high resistance, and its operation does not lead to heating of the battery.
“We have a contract with the Advanced Materials Headquarters of the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy to launch electrolyte production on a semi-industrial scale by the end of this year to evaluate the production process, because the production process in electrolyte is highly important and sensitive,” Pakniyyat said.
Iranian Company Uses Nanotechnology to Manufacture Antibacterial Refrigerators
An Iranian firm used a type of special nanomaterials to produce antibacterial refrigerators.
‘Electro Steel’ company has produced the refrigerator in which the interior wall of the door contains specific nanoparticles with antibacterial property.
Utilization of oxide nanoparticles in the refrigerator has resulted in heightened superior antibacterial activity. This feature reduces gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by 99.99%.
Also, due to the use of nanomaterials, these refrigerators are resistant to decay and spoilage, and the growth of fungi and molds is quickly stopped, which increases the shelf life of food, specially fruits and vegetables, inside the refrigerators.
The nanoparticles can be used in the interior surfaces of refrigerators and freezers.
Iran Gains Self-Sufficiency in Production of Practical Electrical Controllers
A knowledge-based company in Iran succeeded in designing and indigenizing an industrial controller or ‘Control Valve’ used in different industries.
“The Control Valve controller belongs to a German company whose products are widely used in the petrochemical, water and wastewater industries, and power plants, and this product is widely used in Iran too,” Ali Bashir Gonbadi, the managing director of the company, told ANA.
"One of the most widely used elements of the German company is practical electrical controllers, which now have to be imported from abroad to Iran, and one of the main motivations that led us to indigenize this product is the sanctions that do not allow this product to be imported to our country,” he added.
Gonbadi underlined that self-sufficiency has been achieved by indigenization of this product in Iran.
Iranian Nanotechnology Firm Produces Silica Aerogel Blanket
An Iranian nanotechnology company has managed to make special aerogel blankets made of silica which can be used as thermal insulator in the aerospace industry.
The product made by ‘Pakan Atieh Nanodanesh’ company is an aerogel blanket made of a silica matrix on a flexible substrate through which the mechanical shortcoming of the mesoporous structure is alleviated.
Application of nanostructures in the aerogel blanket leads to satisfactory dimensional stability, high specific surface area and porosity, comparatively low relative density and thermal conductivity, high transparency, and extremely low dielectric constant.
The silica aerogel blankets can be utilized as thermal insulator in semi-transparent glass and ceilings, catalysts owing to their high specific surface area, hydrophobic characteristic, thermal insulator in the aerospace industry, transportation, industrial equipment and power generation, and fire-resistant components.
Iranian Firm Uses Nanostructures to Make Heat Sink
An Iranian technological company managed to use nanotechnology to produce heat sink applied to increase resistance to corrosion.
The product made by ‘Nano Abkar Isatis’ is a heat sink whose surfaces are covered by thin layer of nanoporous alumina through anodizing.
It benefits a better corrosion resistance and heat transfer kinetics.
Anodizing exterior surfaces of the heat sink and forming a thin layer of nanoporous alumina leads to increased corrosion resistance, better heat transfer owing to high surface area-to-volume ratio, improved thermal emission coefficient
The product can be applied for cooling microprocessors, light-emitting diode lamps and solders.
A heat sink (also commonly spelled heatsink) is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing regulation of the device's temperature. In computers, heat sinks are used to cool CPUs, GPUs, and some chipsets and RAM modules.
Iranian Firm Uses Nanotechnology to Make Anti-Reflective, Multipurpose Sunglasses
Specialists at an Iranian company used nanotechnology to produce special anti-reflective and multipurpose sunglasses.
‘Electro Optic Sairan Industries Co’ company made the two products which include anti-reflective sunglasses on which a nanostructured coating is applied to filter the harmful UVB radiation from the eyes, and multi-purpose sunglasses with a sport frame model which can be used for both men and women with all face forms.
Applying a nanometric coating on the sunglass increases the light transmittance up to 98 percent, filters the detrimental UVB radiation and protects the eye from the surrounding harmful rays.
The products can be used as UVB protection sunglasses and worn for ecotourism and exercise.
Iranian Nanotechnology Company Makes Conductive Ink Pens
An Iranian company used nanotechnology to make conductive ink pens for educational and handicraft purposes.
‘Shimi Gostar Nano Mad’ company produced the conductive pen or marker containing metal nanoparticles for handicraft, educational and electrical applications.
The ink is diluted by water as solvent to make it environmentally friendly and easy to use.
The addition of metal nanoparticles into the ink of the fabricated pen has led to a significant reduction in materials consumption, resultant lower spot price and roughness and swelling of the written surface, and enhanced conductivity.
The product can be used in handicraft industry, kid education, electrical circuit design and solar cells.
Iranian Scientists Produce Bricks from Waste
Iranian researchers at Islamic Azad University’s Isfahan branch succeeded in production of eco-friendly bricks from waste.
“In this event, Islamic Azad University’s Isfahan branch participated with eight knowledge-based companies, and one of its outstanding products was an innovative brick that was presented at the exhibition with its unique features,” Babak Behforouz, the director-general of knowledge-based economy and technology market department of Islamic Azad University’s Isfahan branch told ANA on the sidelines of Asr-e Omid event in the Northwestern city of Tabriz.
He explained that unlike traditional refractory bricks that require high temperatures (1,100 to 1,200 degrees) for curing, this brick is cured at medium temperatures (70 to 100 degrees).
“This product can withstand thermal shocks between 1,000 and 1,300 degrees and is produced from waste, which is economically about three-quarters of the price of refractory bricks available in the market,” Behforouz said.
Iranian Company Uses AI to Develop Bactometer Device
A technological company in Iran has succeeded in manufacturing a device capable of quickly identifying the concentration of bacteria in solutions and measuring the quality of engine oil by using artificial intelligence.
“Our company's product is the Optomac (Bactometer) device, which can detect the concentration of bacteria in solutions; of course, bacteria that are in suspension and visible,” Yasin Sama’ei, the executive director of the company stationed at the incubator center of the Islamic Azad University’s Isfahan branch, told ANA on the sidelines of Asr-e Omid event in the Northwestern city of Tabriz.
“The customers of this device include drinking water production companies, food, research companies, universities and university laboratories,” he added.
“This device is small and portable and does not require many accessories; it just connects to electricity and starts working,” Sama’ei said.
He explained that with the help of artificial intelligence, this device performs detection in real time, while the same process in a laboratory using the traditional method may take several days or a week.
Iranian Firm Produces Cable Collector System without Carbon Brush for Steel Industries
A technological company in Iran has succeeded in designing and producing a cable collector system without carbon brush that is used in the steel, iron smelting, and tractor manufacturing industries to prevent surface vibration.
“Industrial cable collector without carbon brush, usable in various industries, is a system for replacing all devices that use carbon brush,” Behnam Alizadeh Qeshlaq, the managing-director of the company, told ANA on the sidelines of Asr-e Omid event in the Northwestern city of Tabriz.
He explained that the carbon brush, which is indigenized by the company, was previously imported to Iran, adding, “The company’s main goal is to reduce the number of industrial collector cables with carbon brush that are widely used in steel factories, iron smelting plants, and tractor manufacturing companies.”
“The problem with carbon brushes was that slipping and surface vibration caused sparks and stopped production lines and furnace charging,” Alizadeh Qeshlaq said.
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