From Nanotechnology to Knowledge-Based Product Development: The Research Journey of an Alborz Prize 2026 Student Laureate

The Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk of the University of Tehran:

Fatemeh Lotfi, a PhD student in Materials Engineering at the University of Tehran, has been selected as a recipient of the Alborz Prize 2026 (Student Laureate) in recognition of her scientific, research, and technological activities in the fields of materials engineering and nanotechnology.

In an interview with the Research and Technology News Desk of the University of Tehran, Fatemeh Lotfi, a PhD student in Materials Engineering at the University of Tehran and a recipient of the Alborz Prize 2026 , spoke about her scientific, research, and technological activities, her journey from research to product development, achievements resulting from patent registration, and her plans for the future.

Scientific and Technological Activities and Achievements

The main focus of my activities over the past several years has been in the fields of materials engineering and nanotechnology, with an emphasis on applied research, patent registration, and technology development. Alongside conducting research and publishing scientific papers, I have participated in various technological and industrial projects and have so far registered five patents in the field of nanomaterials. I have also developed three knowledge-based products as part of my work in commercialization.

Receiving various honors and awards, including a Gold Award at the Second International Invention and Innovation Competition for IFIA INV Members in Geneva, Switzerland, being selected as a top project at the Second National Student Social Innovation and Technology Event (Jana Boom), the Alborz Province Young Person of the Year Award, and recognition for a leading project by the Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council (INIC), has been another important part of this journey, alongside my educational and outreach activities in the field of nanotechnology. I believe that the combination of these activities, my efforts to transform scientific knowledge and research into practical solutions, and the continued support of my family contributed to receiving this recognition.

From an Idea to a Knowledge-Based Product

For me, the starting point is usually a real-world problem, rather than simply a research topic. In many of my projects, I have first sought to identify an existing need or challenge and then explored whether materials engineering and nanotechnology could provide a solution.

Once an idea takes shape, the process begins with study and laboratory research and continues through design, prototype development, testing, and refinement. The next important step is transforming a laboratory prototype into a product that is viable in terms of performance, cost, manufacturability, and market needs.

My experience working in a knowledge-based company, as well as collaborating on industrial projects, has shown me that there is a significant gap between a successful laboratory result and a usable product. Therefore, scalability, raw materials, manufacturing processes, quality control, and the final application must all be considered from the outset.

One example of this approach is my work on an industrial device for extracting water from air humidity and turning it into drinking water. In addition to being patented, the technology has also been developed as an industrial device.

An Invention for Water Harvesting and Nanomaterial Applications

The invention that received the Gold Award in Geneva, Switzerland, along with other awards, primarily focused on atmospheric water harvesting systems and antibacterial nanomaterials. The industrial water-harvesting device uses advanced refrigeration systems to extract moisture from the air and convert it into drinking water.

This technology has significant potential for supplying water in water-scarce regions, military bases, and residential complexes. It can also contribute to optimizing water consumption in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, which may face challenges associated with excess moisture.

In addition, metal oxide nanoparticles with antibacterial properties can be used in the food packaging industry and in the production of antibacterial hospital coatings, and can be considered an effective step in the field of healthcare.

Problem-Oriented Research and University–Industry Collaboration

In my view, one of the most important ways to reduce the gap between academia and industry is to move from research conducted solely for scientific purposes toward problem-oriented research. Students and researchers should not only study scientific literature and conduct laboratory experiments but also become familiar with real-world industrial challenges and understand what problem the product or technology they are developing is intended to solve.

Continuous interaction between universities and industry, joint research projects, student engagement in industrial environments, attention to intellectual property and patent registration, and researchers' familiarity with the commercialization process can all play an important role in this regard.

My own experience has also shown me that scientific activities can have a greater impact when research, technology, and education come together. For this reason, alongside my research and technological activities, I have also been involved in education and outreach in the field of nanotechnology. As an instructor approved by INIC, I have participated in educational programs at schools, universities, and research centers.

Looking ahead, I intend to pursue this approach more seriously. In addition to advancing my scientific activities and publishing high-quality research, I aim to move toward developing technologies that have the potential to be transformed into products and address real needs in the country. I also hope to share some of the experience I have gained through research, invention, industry, and education with the next generation of students and researchers.

PARS MEDEQ company and the Mossalanejad Cultural Foundation are the sponsors of Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk