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 Firm Finds Way to Remove Industrial Pollutants, Oils

Specialists at a startup stationed at the incubator center of Esfarayen managed to find a new solution based on cellulose-zinc oxide aerogel, which, with its photocatalytic performance and porous structure, can remove and recycle colored organic pollutants, heavy metals, and even oils from industrial wastewater.

Cellulose-zinc oxide aerogel, by utilizing its ultra-porous structure, very low weight, high surface adsorption properties, and photocatalytic performance, enjoys a high ability to remove heavy metals, organic compounds, and bacteria from water sources.

This technology is not only considered a green and eco-friendly solution, but also, by using renewable and low-cost materials, it can be implemented on various scales, from industrial treatment plants to portable rural systems.

Photocatalytic materials with a three-dimensional porous structure (aerogels) compared to photocatalytic adsorbent nanoparticles are an ideal choice to remove colored organic pollutants in practical applications due to their larger contact surface area, high adsorption capacity, uniform distribution of the photocatalyst surface, lack of clumping, and easy separation from water after adsorption.

The main purpose of this product is to remove organic pollutants from aqueous solutions by using a photocatalytic method in the presence of aerogels, and the developed product is used in areas of water and wastewater treatment, oil removal, and recycling.

Iranian Company Makes RTV Silicone Nano Coatings

A knowledge-based company in Iran has succeeded in industrial production of silicone nano coatings known as RTV which play an important role in increasing the safety and stability of the country's power grid.

These coatings, which are specially used for insulators in the power transmission and distribution industry, enjoy properties like high hydrophobicity, thermal resistance, mechanical strength, dielectric strength, and corrosion resistance.

The combination of these properties allows RTV nano coatings to prevent the accumulation of dust and industrial pollutants on the surface of equipment, reduce electrical leakage current, and prevent the occurrence of electrical discharges and fires.

One of the challenges facing the power industry, specially in hot and humid regions of Iran, is the accumulation of dust and pollution on equipment, which can lead to widespread outages. The company's coatings create a self-cleaning hydrophobic layer, preventing contaminants from adhering, thereby significantly reducing the need for constant cleaning of equipment and the costs of repairs and maintenance.

The company is now a member of the Electrical Industry Syndicate and the CIGRE Committee after obtaining a patent and nanoscale certificate and has also succeeded in obtaining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates.

Iranian Researchers Find Innovative Way to Cool Fuel Cells

Iranian researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology found a new method based on two-phase Taylor flow to improve the cooling of polymer membrane fuel cells.

Behnam Vojoudi, a PhD student in mechanical engineering, implemented a research project titled ‘Cooling of polymer membrane fuel cells using two-phase Taylor flow’.

“In this project, our research focused on improving the cooling of polymer membrane fuel cells to increase their production capacity,” Vojoudi said.

“Therefore, during these studies, a large number of methods that have been used so far for fuel cell cooling were discussed and examined, and the advantages and disadvantages of each were extracted. Then, a new method and new approach to use two-phase Taylor flow to increase heat transfer and cooling were proposed and numerically examined,” he added, noting that this method is presented for the first time in the field of fuel cell cooling.

“The results of this research show that the two-phase Taylor water-air flow has shown much better performance compared to the single-phase water flow and can be used in cooling fuel cells with high production power. In fact, optimal and uniform cooling of the fuel cell increases its production power and life,” Vojoudi said.

Trade Balance in Iran’s Free Trade Zones Positive

Official figures in Iran indicate that the trade balance of the country's seven free zones, excluding machinery imports, was positive at $69.5 million.

The High Council of Iran’s Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones reported that in the first two months of the current Persian calendar year (started on March 21), the seven free zones of Qeshm, Aras, Arvand, Maku, Kish, Anzali and Chabahar had a total of $215.3 million in exports and $208.2 million in imports (including imports of production machinery), which ultimately resulted in a positive trade balance of $7.1 million for these seven free zones.

The trade balance of the country's seven free zones, excluding imports of machinery, was positive at $69.5 million.

The highest positive trade balance among these seven free zones during the two months of the current year belongs to Qeshm with a positive of $37.8 million. Next in rank is Aras Free Zone with a positive of $32.7 million, followed by Arvand Free Zone with $25 million.

Iranian Specialists Design Advanced Alkaline Filter for Water Purification

Iranian scientists at the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research’s Chemical Industries Development Research Center designed and produced a composite that adjusts the pH of household water to the alkaline range and improves the quality and health of the drinking water.

“The designed composite acts as an alkaline filter and adjusts the pH of water to the range of 8 to 9 by adding beneficial mineral ions like calcium, magnesium, and potassium,” said Mehdi Moeenian, a faculty member and deputy research director of the Research Center.

“This process not only improves the taste and smell of water, but also makes it more suitable for daily consumption by neutralizing the acidic properties of the water,” he underlined.

Moeenian explained that drinking water with an alkaline pH can help improve the functioning of the digestive system, increase nutrient absorption, strengthen the immune system, and reduce oxidative stress, adding that alkaline water may also be effective in preventing diseases like gastroesophageal reflux and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

“Given the growing concerns about the quality of drinking water and its impact on public health, the development of this composite could be an effective step towards improving the health of society. The application of this filter in home water purification devices will provide families with access to water of higher quality and beneficial alkaline properties,” he noted.

Business Delegations from 20 States Attend Iran Health Expo 2025

Nearly 100 business and political officials from 20 countries participated in the at Iran Health Exhibition 2025 in Tehran for business negotiations with knowledge-based and technological companies.

“International business meetings were held at Iran Health Exhibition in the presence of representatives from 20 countries,” said Hossein Salmani, the head of the international section of Iran Health Exhibition.

“The purpose of holding these meetings is to expand international interactions, attract foreign investment, develop the export market and transfer new technologies in the field of medical equipment, medicine and health services to Iran,” he added.

Salmani noted that the trade delegations present at the Iran Health Expo were from Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, and Algeria.

The 26th International Iran Health Expo was held at Tehran International Permanent Fairground during June 8-11.

Iranian Company Manufactures Solar Furnace to Generate Electricity

An Iranian company managed to produce a solar furnace which can generate electricity for industries.

“The main field of our company's activities is the designing, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of solar furnace generators to supply electricity to residential, commercial, industrial and even agricultural units,” Saeed Ashkesh, the managing director of the company, told ANA.

“Our company's product is solar furnace thermal generator installations with production capacities between 10 and 500 kilowatts per hour 24 hours a day with the help of a combined cycle of gas and solar energy,” he added.

Ashkesh explained that the continued production of electricity around the clock, the absence of the need for batteries to store energy, and the production of more electricity relative to the space used compared to solar panels are the advantages of the solar furnace.

Iran, Kazakhstan Eye Increasing Trade Volume to 3 Billion Dollars

Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri said that Iran and Kazakhstan have targeted boosting trade volume to $3 billion.

Before leaving Tehran for Astana to participate in a meeting of Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Economic Committee, Nouri called the main goal of the trip as activation of Iran's joint economic committees with other countries, specially the neighbors, and said, “A group of 120 managers and entrepreneurs from Iran will be present at the 20th Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Economic Committee meeting, which will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan."

“Given the position that Kazakhstan has in Central Asia, it is one of the most important countries in this region, and also, given the volume of trade of about five hundred million dollars that we currently have with the country, we are trying to increase this figure to at least three billion dollars," he added.

"The good grounds and good cultural, religious, and economic commonalities between the two countries will improve the promotion of interactions, and there are very favorable grounds for increasing cooperation, including in the fields of transportation, industry, mining, and agriculture," Nouri said.

Iran-Made Smart Skin-Like Dressings Treat Diabetic Wounds, Burns

Technologists from a knowledge-based company in Iran have produced special smart nano-based dressings that help wounds and burns heal faster.

The company’s special smart dressings for diabetic, burn, and surgical wounds have reached the production stage. The dressing enjoys a structure similar to natural skin, and with this innovation, patients can experience more effective treatment at a lower cost.

The company’s products include nanofiber dressings for diabetic wounds, nanofiber dressings for 2nd and 3rd degree burns, and nanofiber dressings for surgical wounds, which are offered with unique features like simulating the fibrous structure of natural skin, high epithelialization power, and competitive prices compared to imported samples.

The company's target market includes wound therapists, specialized wound clinics (diabetic, burn, and bed sore), beauty clinics, and patients with acute and chronic wounds.

PETROCVC in Iran to Hold ‘Petro Venture’ Event to Recover Flare Gas

The Persian Gulf Venture Capital (PETROCVC) in Iran, in cooperation with the Technology Exchange Network (Nanoten), will hold a specialized event titled 'PetroVenture' focused on flare gas recovery.

The event is due to address the challenge of associated gas flaring and aims to identify, support, and commercialize innovative technological solutions in this area.

Technologists, researchers, knowledge-based companies, and energy sector professionals are invited to submit their proposals via the registration platform by June 21, 2025.

PetroVenture provides a platform for cooperation among technologists, knowledge-based companies, investors, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. Selected participants will receive financial, technical, and operational support, along with opportunities to collaborate with major petrochemical companies and gain access to industrial markets.

The event will focus on several issues, including financial support for the development and implementation of selected projects, pilot implementation opportunities in petrochemical complexes, access to a network of investors and relevant industries, facilitation in obtaining industrial and environmental certifications.

Iranian Technologists Make Device to Diagnose Bladder Diseases

Iranian technologists at a company managed to build and export hemodialysis device to five countries and also made a device to diagnose bladder diseases.

“Among the distinguishing features of our company's hemodialysis device is its highly advanced internal software, which, in addition to controlling and recording all hardware changes to the device, records the patient's clinical information and nursing settings during the hemodialysis session in the form of a log file and provides it to the user when needed,” said Salman Okhowwat, the R&D manager of the technological company.

“Also we have made an urodynamic device which is used to diagnose bladder diseases,” he added.

“The urodynamic device is a tool used to measure the pressure and function of the bladder and urinary tract during urination and at rest. With the help of this device, doctors can diagnose bladder functional problems and prescribe appropriate treatment for them,” Okhowwat said.

Iranian Scientists Find Eco-Friendly Solution to Repair Asphalt Pavement with Waste Materials

A group of Iranian researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology presented an environmentally-friendly asphalt mixture by using waste materials to repair asphalt pavement damages.

“In this project, we presented a solution for repairing asphalt pavement damage by using the ability of induced repair, in a way that 50% to 70% of the life of asphalt pavements can be restored,” said Hamid Jahanbakhsh, a researcher of the project.

“On average, this asphalt mixture is 90% cheaper for each year of increase in the life of the pavement structure compared to conventional methods and reduces environmental pollution and energy consumption by 60%,” he added.

“In this study, by optimizing the conductive asphalt mixture in the laboratory phase, we introduced a cold asphalt mixture that can be manufactured by using induction heating using electromagnetic waves. This product significantly reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to hot asphalt mixture,” Jahanbakhsh said.

“This material is produced based on waste materials and materials that not only have a high capability to absorb electromagnetic waves, but also have a good induction healing ability,” he added.

Iranian Company Develops AI-Based System for Accurate, Rapid Cancer Diagnosis

The ‘Avax AI’ artificial intelligence system developed by an Iranian knowledge-based company is capable of identifying cancer and determine the nature of tumors.

“We have launched a domain called Avax AI, which operates similarly to ChatGPT, but specializes in the field of medical image analysis. This system can detect the extent of cancer, determine the nature of tumors (benign or malignant) with an accuracy of more than 93 percent, and also analyze cardiovascular images,” said Mostafa Taqipour, the managing director of the knowledge-based company.

“The Avax AI project has been developed over 6 years and with an investment of nearly $4 million,” he added.

“Our software is continuously updated to increase the accuracy of the analysis and benefit from the latest scientific advances in the field of artificial intelligence,” Taqipour said.

Iran Launches First Specialized Technology, Innovation Neo Bank

Head of the Iran International Technology and Innovation Hub Campus  Vahid Qassemi announced the launch of the country’s first specialized technology and innovation neo bank, named ‘Inno Bank’.

This digital-oriented bank will focus on knowledge-based companies, startups, and technology units, and will provide financial and consulting services tailored to the needs of these businesses.

Qassemi described ‘Inno Bank’ as the country’s first specialized technology neo bank, designed to create smart financial infrastructure for the innovation ecosystem.

“Unlike traditional banks that are suitable for large industries or traditional business activities, we have prepared a structure in this neo bank that is fully tailored to the high-risk and dynamic needs of technology companies,” he said.

“Inno Bank's services will include receiving an online accelerated multi-layer card, facilitating the receipt of service-based facilities, consulting for attracting capital, connecting to venture capital funds, and accompanying the commercialization of technological products,” Qassemi noted, adding that the bank has been developed with the support of the country's banking network and within the framework of the International Hub Campus strategies.