Domestic experts have produced an Earth Crust Movement Monitoring System based on the Global Positioning System to reduce the destructive impacts of earthquakes.
The system can monitor movements in the earth’s crust using the Global Navigation Satellite System and Global Positioning System to predict earthquakes in that area.
This high-technology product was produced by a group of experts from Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology with the support of the Space Technologies and Advanced Transportation Headquarters, Vice Presidency for Science and Technology reported.
The ease of using this system in various weather conditions, the ability to monitor the movements of the earth's crust in short intervals and the high accuracy of measurements are the main features of this domestic system.
Complementary tools of other monitoring instruments such as seismometers and accelerometers are currently used in seismic zones of the world.
The university’s experts involved in this project claim that it can also help monitor the amount of water that will turn into rain in the troposphere and the distribution of free electrons in the ionosphere.
Predicting earthquakes is a crucial and challenging task, as they cause irreparable damages around the world throughout the year. Therefore, an earthquake early warning system can significantly reduce the loss of lives and the extent of destruction inflicted by this natural disaster.
Monitoring systems based on positioning and navigation systems are currently used to monitor the movements of the earth's crust and atmosphere. They also use positioning and navigation receivers known as geodetic receivers.
These systems determine the velocity and the direction of the movements of plates in a specific region, which help scientists n gauge its estimated magnitude and predict the probability of an earthquake in a particular area.
Rescuing Forces in Weather Phenomena
A knowledge-based company has developed a geoinformatics system to improve the quality of rescue missions.
The system, developed by Kavosh Sepehr Lotus Company, helps rescue forces predict the time and size of an atmospheric phenomenon’s occurrence and determine the weather condition of the place where a natural or manmade disaster has occurred.
The knowledge-based system has entered its final stage with the support of the headquarters for the development of technologies of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, the latter’s news portal reported.
The main user of this knowledge-based meteorological geoinformatics system is the Iran Red Crescent Society (known as Helal Ahmar in Persian).
In designing this system, three main factors were considered: collecting data of highly populated areas, calculating the risk caused by different weather phenomena and informing the rescue forces, and accuracy in specifying the size of the weather phenomenon.
Eight phenomena that can give rise to a human and financial toll based on the country’s climatic conditions have been taken into account by the system so that before and during the occurrence of a natural disaster, a notification is sent to the respective rescue forces so that timely actions could be taken.
The system makes it possible to get access to the risk predictions of different phenomena and their intensity for each region, down to the district level, for different periods of time. Such data could also help prevent a likely catastrophe in the event of a severe weather phenomenon.
Weather-related events are the most important cause of damages that require the assistance of rescue forces.
Studies indicate that 25% of road accidents also occur due to bad weather conditions, hence accurate information about weather conditions and related risks assist IRCS forces in taking precautionary measures and preparing for any eventuality.
Anti-Hail System Developed
A domestic knowledge-based company has designed an anti-hail system that can turn hail into rain to prevent damage to trees and facilities during hailstorms. The system can liquefy the hail through a special process before they reach the ground.
“The anti-hail system turns the hail into raindrops by producing special sound waves in the sky,” Alireza Nourian, the CEO of Ervin Hail Industries Company, was quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.
He pointed out that the most important advantage of the domestic anti-hail system is the ability to prevent any potential damage during a hailstorm.
The system creates a series of acetylene gas explosions in a special reactor, which give rise to sound waves with a special frequency. Then the device directs the sound waves into the thunderclouds. The waves disturb the formation of hails by creating turbulence in ice crystals, which turn hailstones into raindrops.
The anti-hail system can be used to protect crops, gardens, urban areas, industrial sites, car companies’ parking lots and any open warehouse where goods, products, or equipment need protection during a hailstorm.
The director of the knowledge-based company explained that the domestic anti-hail system is 30% more effective and cheaper than its foreign counterparts.
“The system has been designed in two forms. One is a semi-intelligent system that is designed for the first time in the Middle East and the second model is the first smart system designed in the world,” he said.
The domestic system has met the needs of the country for anti-hail systems and prevented currency outflow. So far, 500 anti-hail systems have been installed in the country.
Also, the domestic anti-hail system has been exported to Turkey that expressed satisfaction with its quality and performance.
Nourian noted that the design and development of the anti-hail system have led to the creation of numerous direct jobs and 20 indirect jobs.
