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 Able to Produce 2,000 Tons of Cocopeat Annually

An Iranian knowledge-based company managed to produce 2,000 tons of cocopeat (a sustainable, lightweight, and spongy material derived from coconut husks) from palm waste.

“We use date palm waste, specially leaves and trunks, which are produced in the country annually at a rate of about 500,000 tons and are not used, to produce planting media,” said Ahmad Mohammadi, a professor at the Islamic Azad University and the managing director of the company.

“Our product can prevent the annual outflow of six million dollars because over 12,000 tons of cocopeat is imported from Sri Lanka and India annually, while we have the ability to produce it domestically with appropriate quality,” he added.

“At present, our production capacity has reached about 2,000 tons, and this product can meet the needs of the domestic market and even be exported,’ Mohammadi said.

Iran-Made New Herbal Medicine Effective Alternative to Surgery of Kidney Stones

A professor at Islamic Azad University underlined the success of a new herbal medicine for treating kidney stones under 10 mm without any need to surgery.

“This drug was obtained after four years of clinical trials and can treat and expel kidney stones up to 10 mm in size, and has shown 86% success in clinical trials,” said Zeynab Shakeri, the managing director of the knowledge-based company and professor at Islamic Azad University.

She explained that the medicine existing in the market are usually only effective for treating stones smaller than 5 or 6 mm, adding, “Our medicine is able to treat stones larger than 5 mm to 10 mm.”

“The new drug has been prepared from a combination of several medicinal plants that grow in Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces and will now enter the market in the form of capsule,” Shakeri said.

Iran-Made Multirotor Drones Used for Aerial Spraying of Farms

An Iranian knowledge-based company has managed to develop special multirotor drones used for aerial spraying of the farm lands in a short period of time.

“These drones use minimal water to achieve uniform spraying and reduce pesticide consumption and costs by 30 percent,” said Mehdi Etemadi, the managing director of the knowledge-based company and a professor at Islamic Azad University.

Noting that the drones can also be used for carrying postal packages, sending emergency medicines, helping the sports industry and rescue and relief, he said, “One of the most booming and high-value-added applications of these drones is their use in the agricultural industry which includes aerial spraying and assessing the quality of soil and plants.”

“In traditional methods, an ordinary farmer can only cover three hectares of land per day with manual spraying while the use of multi-rotor birds helps agriculture to achieve uniform and integrated spraying of one hectare of land with a consumption of about 20 liters of water; while in the traditional method, about 400 liters of water are needed for the same area,” Etemadi added.

“This difference reduces the consumption of poison by 30 percent and decreases the costs and negative environmental impacts. By using this system, the spraying time is also reduced and one hectare of land can be sprayed in just 10 minutes,” he said.

Iranian Experts Produce Dust Control Systems

A knowledge-based company has managed to produce smart masks and dust control systems to provide innovative solutions for air pollution control and air purification.

“The company's products include dust control systems, smart masks equipped with various sensors, and home air purifiers with the ability to remove various pollutants,” said Mani Shojayee, the managing director of the company which is a member of the Elite Technology Incubator Center of the Iran Innovation Zone.

“These products have been designed and manufactured by using state-of-the-art technologies with the aim of reducing the destructive effects of air pollution on human health and the environment,” he added.

Shojayee explained that the device controls dust particles by continuously spraying tiny water droplets and prevents them from spreading in the air, adding that the fog cannon improves the employees’ health and hygiene, reduces environmental risks, and helps maintain industrial equipment and machinery.

Iranian Firm Develops Software to Improve Cybersecurity

Specialists at a knowledge-based company in Iran developed a software which helps the improvement of the cybersecurity of the country’s organizations and networks.

Ali Akbar Tadayyon, the managing director of the knowledge-based company, described the software as a native solution to combat cyber threats in the Iranian organizations, saying, “This software provides a complete view of the organization's digital assets by identifying equipment and services active in the network. With the support for more than 120 configurable default ports and more than 60 known protocols, this platform enables precise monitoring of network traffic and identification of potential threats.”

He noted that the ability to integrate with other security solutions available in the organization, including the SIEM and SOC via API, is another advantage of this system, adding, “This platform helps identify software security weaknesses and prioritize vulnerabilities.”

“CVE inventory analysis and reporting, a standardized system for identifying and cataloging known security vulnerabilities, helps organizations identify and prioritize security vulnerabilities in their assets,” Tadayyon said.

Iranian Firm Uses PVD Coating to Produce Beautiful Dining Utensils

An Iranian knowledge-based company has managed to use nanotechnology and advanced physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating to produce durable, beautiful and resistant dining and catering utensils.

A gold-colored titanium nitride (TiN) coating is one of the most widely used nano-coatings for decorative and industrial surfaces, which is applied to metal surfaces through PVD (physical vapor deposition) technology. By creating nanoscale structures, this technology not only gives the utensils a beautiful appearance, but also increases their resistance to scratches, corrosion, oxidation and discoloration.

Compared to older methods like electroplating or metallic and non-metallic coatings, PVD coating provides advantages like high adhesion, surface uniformity, the absence of toxic materials, and the ability to precisely control thickness.

Tak Steel Paya company succeeded in launching a TiN coating system by using the PVD method. This coating is applied to 18/10 stainless steel dishes using common PVD methods like Arc-PVD and sputtering. 18/10 steel, with a combination of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, is one of the most resistant and standard alloys used in the food industry. Chromium prevents rusting, and nickel provides shine and stability to the surface.

Iran Accelerates Development of Micro Technologies

Microtechnology, which has entered Iran since 1990s, is now growing towards the indigenization of advanced and applied knowledge by implementing research projects, supporting knowledge-based companies, and developing the value chain in areas like microelectronics, energy harvesting, printed electronics, and bedside diagnostic tools.

Microelectronics is one of the important and strategic subfields of electronic engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of electronic components and circuits on a micrometer scale. This field forms the infrastructure of many new technologies such as smartphones, sensors, medical equipment, smart cars, aviation systems, and Internet of Things devices. With the growing need for smart and energy-efficient equipment, the importance of developing and indigenizing microelectronic technologies in developing countries, including Iran, has increased more than ever.

In recent years, Iran, relying on domestic technological capacities, specialized universities, and knowledge-based companies, has taken serious steps towards the development of this key technology. Focusing on fabless design, the production of smart sensors, the development of medical diagnostic systems, and support for microelectronics-based industries are among the priorities that have been considered in the country's technology roadmap last year.

Iran-Made Kit Able to Detect 50 Metabolic Diseases in Infants

A knowledge-based company in Iran has been able to produce a kit that can compete with German and American models and detect 50 metabolic diseases in the newborns.

“This product is designed to screen newborns in the first days of life and is able to separate at-risk newborns from healthy individuals so that disease management can begin in the very first days of life,” said Mohsen Ehsanfar, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

He explained that during this period, serious diseases can be identified and treated by analyzing metabolites and examining the newborn's metabolic status.

“A limited number of countries, including Germany and the US, produce such kits, and the global market is practically monopolized by one or two companies. However, the Iranian model is high-quality and so much competitive in price,” Ehsanfar said.

“The designed kit, with the ability to measure analytes such as amino acids and acylcarnitines, is capable of identifying more than 50 metabolic diseases included in Iran’s newborn screening panel,” he noted.

Iran Deploys Home-Made Air Traffic Radar

Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) of the National Airports Company of Iran and specialists from Isfahan University of Technology succeeded in building an air traffic radar, the first model of which was installed at Abadan Airport.

The MSSR-Mode S radar system was deployed at Abadan airport in Southwestern Iran upon an order by President Massoud Pezeshkian via a video link.

Authorities from the Iranian transportation ministry said the advanced radar system would strengthen the air traffic control network in the region.

Iran-Made Nano-Based Coolant Boosts Efficiency in Car Engine

Experts of an Iranian knowledge-based company managed to produce concentrated ethylene glycol-based engine coolant containing nanoparticles for light vehicles.

The company has produced and supplied a new generation of engine coolants for light vehicles using nanotechnology. 

This product, by incorporating nanoparticles in its structure, has been designed to effectively improve heat transfer between the car engine and the coolant and reduce the engine's operating temperature.

The nano-formulation of this antifreeze, which is based on ethylene glycol, has increased thermal conductivity by 20 percent compared to conventional products.

This feature plays a significant role in optimizing engine combustion performance, reducing fuel consumption and component wear, and ultimately, reducing vehicle maintenance costs. More effective operation of the radiator system is also another advantage of using this product.

Iranian Firm Produces Nano Pigments for Ceramic, Tile Industry

An Iranian knowledge-based company has succeeded in producing nano pigments specifically for the ceramic and tile industry.

Borna Nano Aluminum Azmoudeh company uses technologies like selective deposition and advanced pyrometallurgy to produce metal and oxide nanostructures.

The company's black nano pigment is considered an alternative to imported samples with features like high purity, color stability, and reduced nozzle clogging.

The company's flagship product, black nano pigment for industrial digital printing inks, has unique technical features, including narrow particle size distribution that effectively reduces nozzle and filter clogging by 50% in the printing process, high chemical purity and absence of interfering elements such as silica and alumina, special Fe-Cr-Co-Ni metal composition with a high percentage of cobalt to provide color stability, and a 5% increase in blackness index compared to imported Italian samples based on colorimetric tests.

In addition to industrial pigments, the company also produces nickel oxide nanoparticles and cobalt oxide microwires in its product portfolio. These compounds are used in specialized engineering projects, including metal oxide synthesis and advanced process design like heat treatment and welded joints.

Iranian Company Produces Mineral-Based Supplement for Livestock

An Iranian knowledge-based company used nanotechnology produced a new type of mineral-based supplement with high efficiency and competitive price.

Imen Nano Fam company's flagship product, called Fararuy, is a supplement based on mineral nanoparticles that is designed based on sulfates, oxides, and chelate compounds but lacks common disadvantages like absorption interference and loss of performance.

Fararuy was developed for use in livestock, poultry, aquatic animals, horses, and pets, and due to its nanostructure, it has high bioabsorption, stability against humidity and temperature, and greater nutritional effectiveness.

According to Fatemeh Saqatchi, the managing director of the company, 60% of the livestock and poultry industry's costs are related to feed, and by developing a third-generation nano supplement, the company has been able to offer a product with high absorption, greater effectiveness, and an economical price.

Iranian Company Produces Resistant 3D Decorative Stones  

A technological company in Iran has managed to make lightweight 3D decorative industrial stones with a weight reduction of up to 50 percent and features like resistance to moisture.

“We have produced lightweight 3D decorative industrial stones and, using a commercial formulation, have reduced their weight by 25 to 50 percent compared to natural stones,” Shoa’yb Mousavi, the managing director of the company stationed at the Islamic Azad University’s Khorramabad branch told ANA.

“This lightness brings advantages like cheaper transportation and reduced earthquake force absorbed by the structures,” he added.

Noting that these stones are colored very fast, and the roughness on the back of the pieces creates better adhesion to the wall, eliminating the need for a scoop, Mousavi said, “The possibility of producing colored pieces and painting them after installation, installation in the form of mortar or adhesive, and resistance to moisture are other advantages of this product.”

Iranian Experts Produce CLT Panels for Construction Industry

Iranian researchers at a technological company succeeded in indigenization of the production of CLT (cross-laminated timber panels) panels used in construction industry.

The company based at the Innovation and Materials Technology Center of Islamic Azad University’s Alborz branch started its research and studies in the field of producing all-wood panels with new and modern technology three years ago.

After scientific and field research and efforts regarding the production process of these panels, the company succeeded in indigenizing the production process of CLT.

The company's proprietary wood panel production process is completely unique, and this product is distinct from all similar foreign models.

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