Iran Showcases Nanocoating to Protect Antique Buildings and Nanotechnologhy for Cars

Iranian researchers at P.I.M (Jazika) Co. have developed NanoSeal, a new product which helps to preserve historical relics and monuments against deteriorating weather conditions by applying a nanotechnology coating.

NanoSeal is now offered at Iranian market and is capable of protecting any surfaces like plaster walls, bentonite structures, and bricks against humidity, according to the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC).

According to P.I.M (Jazika), the product benefits include a number of advantages like, resistance against sunlight, corrosion, erosion and other deteriorating effect, making it economical to preserve buildings and historical constructions. Depending on the type of the surface, the dosage of the mentioned product should be about 200 to 400 milliliters per one square meter.

Another product by the company is named NanoCX800 which is useful in sealing concrete tanks. It can completely seal any concrete tank or vessel and it doesn't block concrete breathing. The products along with four concrete samples were presented by Jazika at the International Iran Nano2009 Exhibition held on November 4-8 in Tehran.

Researchers at Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) in collaboration with their colleagues at SAPCO, two of the largest car producers in Iran, pursue replacing ordinary auto parts with nanotechnology-based ones in order to improve the qualities and reduce costs.

Their nominated parts for modification include windscreen, body paint, interior composite parts, various plastic parts, seat covers, dashboard, and gas tank. It has been proven that such modifications would provide easier and better health for the internal parts of the car.

IKCO presented its first nano-modified prototype car named Samand Soren at 'Iran Nano 2009' exhibition held in Tehran. According to IKCO's experts, the car takes advantage of anti-scratch paint, nanocomposite structures in its interior parts and inter-engine units, nano-diamond contained lubricating oil, hydrophobic glasses, antibacterial seats, anti-stain dashboard and nanocatalytic exhaust converter.

"When integrated in paints, nano-coatings improve lifetime and resistance to erosion/scratch and UV greatly. This will help producers lengthen guarantee periods for automobile paints," Ali Farshidi, head of Engineering and Materials Research Center at SAPCO explained to INIC.

The researchers at Institute for Color Science and Technology (ICPC) of Iran presented ZNO:CO nano-pigments synthesized by combustion method in Iran Nano 2009 Exhibition held on November 4-8 in Tehran.

Institute for Color Science and Technology was founded in 1997 to create a scientific base in the field of paint science and industry to train professional experts and to develop practical and developing research projects in different fields of science and technology.

The nano group of the institute started up its activities related to science and nanotechnology since 2004. It joined the laboratory network of nanotechnology in 2007 and achieved the third place among the members of laboratory network.

Three major fields of activities are nano-pigments, their synthesis, retrofits, and the application of nanoparticles, self cleaning nano-coatings, anti scratch and anti corrosion materials; and thin layers which could be polymeric, metallic, hybrid, or ceramic.

Preparation of raw materials based on nanotechnology for the manufacturing of screen displays, the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites used in special coatings, the synthesis of nanopowders for production of resistant parts, and optimization of chemical synthesis methods like combustion synthesis for the production of nanomaterials are examples of the current projects in this research institute.

The institute provides facilities for post graduate and under graduate students and accepts students in nanopaint technology at master level.

Nanomaterials are produced by all mechanical, chemical, and solid methods. The equipment available at the institute include nanostructured materials testers like SEM, electronic microscope, PSA (Particle Size Analysis), freeze dryer, thermal analysis, and FT-IR.