Scientific & Technological Achievements of I.R. of Iran (Feb. - Mar. 2016) This issue contains: Nanocomposite Sensors Detect Toxic Gases Scientists Build Fuel Cells with Appropriate Performance at High Temperature Electromagnetic nanocomposite produced economically in Iran Nano film synthesized for electrical, optical devices Synthesis of Nanocomposite Surfaces to Eliminate Air Polluting Gases Researchers to use nano-tech in gene therapy of cancer cells Iran joins rare-earth elements producers Blood plasma of Iran approved by German experts Iranians to enjoy perfectly indigenized smart home technology The nanocarrier fixes antibiotics side effects Best Quality Biodegradable Packaging Films Produced in Iran Purification of Industrial Wastewater by new nanoparticles New Nanosorbent Detects Tiny Amounts of Anticancer Drugs in Body Japan, US no longer monopoly in ultracentrifuge production Iran develops second generation solar cells Nutritional value of saffron increased via microencapsulation Turbines oil control system first manufactured in Iran 1st 3D printer commercialized in Tabriz Islamic Art University Iran designs concept plane 1
Nanocomposite Sensors Detect Toxic Gases Shiraz University researchers in association with their colleagues from South Korea synthesized nanocomposites to be used in the production of sensors to detect toxic gasses and gas pollutants, toxic gases including carbon monoxide. These sensors can be used in industrial centers, automobiles, hospitals and houses. Results of the research have been published in Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 35, 2016, pp. 130-138. 1 Scientists Build Fuel Cells with Appropriate Performance at High Temperature Researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology produced nanocomposite membranes that are able to improve performance of fuel cells at high temperature. The nanomembranes have very good mechanical and thermal properties and they increase efficiency of fuel cells in the production of electrical energy. Results of the research have been published in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 40, issue 40, 2015, pp. 13964-13978. 2 Electromagnetic nanocomposite produced economically in Iran Scientists of Iran used natural and cheap raw materials to produce special nanocomposites applicable in energy, electronics and computer fields. The mechanism to produce this nanocomposite is according to green chemistry principles which decrease environmental pollution during the production. Results of the research have been published in Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 85, 2016, pp. 170-175. 3 Nano film synthesized for electrical, optical devices Iranian researchers synthesized nanostructured thin films that have application in the production of electrical and optical devices, including solar cells, gas sensors and LEDs. The simultaneous presence of high transparency and electrical conductivity is among the most important advantages of these thin films, which increases their performance efficiency. Results of the research have been published in The European Physical Journal Plus, vol. 130, 2015, pp. 254-265. 4 1. http://news.nano.ir/53127/2 2. http://www.nanohealth.ir/pages/news_view.php?site=1&lang=2&id=152 3. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941206000161, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/114742 4. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/114814 2
Synthesis of Nanocomposite Surfaces to Eliminate Air Polluting Gases Researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology succeeded in the production of surfaces that can absorb air polluting gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Nanocomposite materials with photocatalytic activities were synthesized in this research. The materials produced in this research are at laboratorial scale, and they can be used in the outlet gas convertors in vehicle exhausts. Results of the research have been published in RCS Advances, vol. 5, issue 114, 2015, pp. 93706-93716. 5 Researchers to use nano-tech in gene therapy of cancer cells Scientists of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences managed to apply laboratory synthesis of nano-polymeric carriers which can be used in gene therapy of cancer cells. The research aimed at introducing a polymer as a proper carrier for gene delivery and one which enjoys high performances. The nanocarriers are of low toxicity and higher biocompatibility, compared to the similar samples. 6 Iran joins rare-earth elements producers By unveiling seven rare-earth elements bars and pure powders at the National Research Center for Minerals in Alborz Province, Iran has now joined other countries in producing this kind of element. Seven rare-earth elements bars including praseodymium(iii) oxide, neodymium(iii) oxide, cerium(iv) oxide, yttrium(iii) oxide, mischmetal, ferrotitanium and lanthanum oxide were unveiled at a ceremony. 7 Blood plasma of Iran approved by German experts Tehran Blood Transfusion Center for the very first time received biennial certification for optimal plasma production from CSL-Plasma Co. in Germany. Among Asian and Islamic states, Iran is the only country so far to have obtained a quality certification from the CSL- Plasma in Germany for blood plasma production. 8 5. http://news.nano.ir/53478/2 6. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/114969 7. http://theiranproject.com/blog/2016/03/02/iran-joins-rare-earth-elements-producers, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/114862 8.http://en.ghatreh.com/view/527969/Iranian-blood-plasma-approved-by-German-experts, http://oananews.org/content/news/technology/iranian-blood-plasma 3
Iranians to enjoy perfectly indigenized smart home technology Researchers at a knowledge-based company of Iran have managed to equip Iranian houses with smart home technology perfectly tailored to customer requirements.smart phones are now an integral part of Iranians lives and as such can be used to easily control places such as homes and offices. So they managed to equip houses, offices, villas and cars with domestically-designed smart home technology. 9 The nanocarrier fixes antibiotics side effects Iranian Scientists have produced polymeric nanoparticles that reduce the harmful side effects of antibiotic consumption and increase efficiency of treatment. The outcomes of the research confirm production of spherical and homogeneous polymer particles with a size less than 100 nm. Also, studies on the thermal stability of the molecular polymers indicate their stability in high temperatures. The results of the research have been published in RSC Advances, vol. 120, issue 5, 2015, pp. 98880-98891. 10 Best Quality Biodegradable Packaging Films Produced in Iran Biodegradable packaging films were produced by Iranian researchers from Isfahan University, using nanomaterials. The nanocomposite films can be used in the packaging of various products. In addition to having best mechanical properties, the films can be produced faster in a cheaper manner due to the possibility of continuous production in extruder in comparison with usual films used in industries. Results of the research have been published in Journal of film and sheeting, vol. 31, issue 3, 2015, pp. 309-336. 11 Purification of Industrial Wastewater by new nanoparticles Iranian researchers succeeded in the synthesis of nanoparticles that can be used with ultrasound waves in purification of industrial wastewater containing organic compounds. The nanoparticles have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammation and pain killer properties, and they can be used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Results of the research have been published in Ultrasonic Sonochemistry, vol. 30, 2016, pp. 123-131. 12 9. http://oananews.org/content/news/technology/iranians-enjoy-perfectly-indigenized-smart-home-technology 10. http://seraj24.ir/en/news-details/124315/iranian-nanocarrier-fixes-antibiotics-side-effects-/ 11. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/115011 12. http://news.nano.ir/53480/2 4
New Nanosorbent Detects Tiny Amounts of Anticancer Drugs in Body Scientists from K. N. Toosi University of Technology produced a new nanosorbent to detect very low amount of anticancer drugs in biological samples. Higher speed, lower cost and ease of access are among the important advantages of the nanosorbent to be used in laboratory diagnosis methods. Results of the research have been published in Journal of Chromatography A, vol. 1426, 2015, pp. 24-32. 13 Japan, US no longer monopoly in ultracentrifuge production Razi Tech, a tech company in Tehran has designed and manufactured ultracentrifuge with applications in vaccine and pharmaceutical industries. The technology was monopoly of few industrial countries including Japan and the US, and that the product was highly strategic in terms of economy and pharmaceutical industry needs to higher-gravity force centrifuges. The centrifuge will contribute to the vaccine production in Iran beginning in mid-2016. 14 Iran develops second generation solar cells Researchers at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz for the first time developed hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells, which is the second generation thin film solar cells. The research team is working on optimizing the developed solar cell structure and paving the way for the semi-industrial production of solar panels. 15 Nutritional value of saffron increased via microencapsulation Iranian Scientists produced saffron powder with high nutritional value through the nanotechnology of microencapsulation of saffron extract with edible compounds. The results of the research can be used in producing pills and capsules containing encapsulated and effective saffron compounds for the pharmaceutical sector. 16 Turbines oil control system first manufactured in Iran The turbines oil control system of Ramin Power Plant in Iranian southwestern city of Ahwaz has been for the first time manufactured by Iranian engineers. The new system has 13. http://news.nano.ir/53532/2 14. http://en.ghatreh.com/view/573028/japan&-44;-us-no-longer-monopoly-in-ultracentrifuge-production, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/115081 15. http://www.irna.ir/en/news/81995256/ 16. http://www.oananews.org/content/news/technology/nutritional-value-saffron-increased-microencapsulation, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/115111 5
significantly increased the fuel efficiency of the plant in addition to bringing 4 million dollar savings. 17 1st 3D printer commercialized in Tabriz Islamic Art University The commercialized of first three-dimensional printer has been unveiled in the Software Technology Development Center of Tabriz Islamic Art University. Although more complete than similar samples, the Iranian version of 3D printer is cheaper than foreign types and has a wide range of applications in industry, including in jewelry design, sculpture as well as medical, dental, mechanical, civil and architecture fields. 18 Iran designs concept plane For the first time in Iran the conceptual design of 100 to 150-seat passenger mediumrange aircraft has been accomplished by Amirkabir and Isfahan Universities of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology as well as Fars Science and Technology Park. Each institute worked on one part of the project comprising of body design and aircraft systems, engine design, avionic system design, parts of cargo and structure of the passenger aircraft. 19 17. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/115131 18. http://parseed.ir/?ez=18990 19. http://en.ghatreh.com/view/593865/iran-designs-concept-plane, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/115185 6