Innovators:

Maryam Rastegari, Alireza Rastegari, Amin Khalili, Mohammadhossein Sharifnia, Tahereh Nikoudel

Owners of the innovation:

Shadow Faucet: Systems and Methods for Designing and Fabricating an Improved Multi-Component Washing and Fire-Fighting Device

 

Acknowledgment: Congratulations on being one of the pioneer innovators who have obtained the IFIA Innovation Standard certificate (IIS).

Following your inquiry for an IIS certification, the jury board evaluated your application according to the criteria. And after the assessment and examinations, your innovation was granted with IFIA Innovation Standard Grade A.

IFIA hopes that by having this certification, you will take an essential step in the commercialization of your innovation. Also, by entering international markets, you can contribute to the realization of the global slogan: Generating wealth through innovative knowledge.

A Smarter Way to Clean, Dry, and Protect Surfaces

Cleaning systems have changed very little over the past decades. Most still depend on large volumes of water, long washing cycles, and separate drying processes. In homes, public facilities, factories, hospitals, and industrial environments, this approach leads to unnecessary water consumption, higher energy use, longer operating times, and gradual damage to surfaces exposed to moisture.

Our invention was developed from a simple question: Can water be used more intelligently rather than simply used in greater quantities?

The answer became a multi-component washing and fire-fighting system that combines fluid engineering, controlled heating, pressure management, and rapid drying in a single integrated device. Instead of relying on excessive water flow, the system improves the effectiveness of the cleaning fluid itself and then removes residual moisture quickly and efficiently.

Why Conventional Systems Fall Short

Whether a system uses liquid water or steam, the same practical problems are often encountered:

• High water consumption during cleaning operations.
• Long washing and drying times.
• Energy losses caused by heating large volumes of water.
• Residual moisture left on surfaces after cleaning.
• Corrosion, oxidation, and gradual surface degradation.
• Higher maintenance and operating costs.

These challenges become especially important in places where cleaning is performed repeatedly every day or where water and energy efficiency are critical.

How the Technology Works

The system uses a coordinated set of mechanical, thermal, and fluid-control components to manage the behavior of water and other cleaning fluids during the washing process.

By controlling intermolecular interaction, temperature, and pressure conditions, the device increases cleaning efficiency while reducing the amount of fluid required. Immediately after washing, the same system accelerates evaporation and drying, minimizing the time that water remains on the surface.

In practical use, the device performs cleaning, sanitizing, and drying as one continuous process rather than three separate operations.

This approach not only saves resources but also helps protect metals, ceramics, stone, composite materials, and other sensitive surfaces from long-term moisture-related damage.

Key Benefits

• Substantially lower water consumption.
• Faster cleaning and drying cycles.
• Reduced energy demand.
• Less corrosion and oxidation on treated surfaces.
• Lower operational and maintenance costs.
• Improved hygiene and cleaning performance.
• Longer service life of equipment and surfaces.
• Environmentally responsible operation.

Applications

The technology is designed to be scalable and adaptable across a wide range of environments:

• Industrial manufacturing facilities.
• Hospitals and healthcare centers.
• Hotels, restaurants, and public buildings.
• Food-processing and sanitation facilities.
• Transportation and municipal cleaning systems.
• Fire-fighting support and emergency response equipment.
• Smart building and infrastructure projects.

Environmental Contribution

Water scarcity is no longer a regional issue; it is a global reality. The purpose of this invention is not simply to make cleaning faster, but to make it more responsible. By reducing water consumption and shortening drying time, the system decreases both resource use and energy demand while maintaining effective cleaning performance.

For countries and industries seeking practical solutions for sustainability, this technology offers a realistic step toward more efficient use of water without compromising operational requirements.

Recognition and Intellectual Property

The invention has been officially registered through the international intellectual property system and has received recognition at major international invention exhibitions, including awards from Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. It has also been presented at leading technology and sustainability events in the Middle East and Europe.

This project began with concern for a resource that every society depends on: water. Through years of practical experience, engineering development, and international collaboration, we created a system that cleans more efficiently, dries more quickly, and uses less water. Our goal is straightforward to provide a technology that makes every day cleaning safer, more economical, and more sustainable for the generations ahead.

Innovator:

Inv. Sepideh Abedi

Owner of the innovation:

Plant Response Diagnosis System for Hidden Stress Detection in Soilless Crops (PRDS)

 

Acknowledgment: Congratulations on being one of the pioneer innovators who have obtained the IFIA Innovation Standard certificate (IIS).

Following your inquiry for an IIS certification, the jury board evaluated your application according to the criteria. And after the assessment and examinations, your innovation was granted with IFIA Innovation Standard Grade B.

IFIA hopes that by having this certification, you will take an essential step in the commercialization of your innovation. Also, by entering international markets, you can contribute to the realization of the global slogan: Generating wealth through innovative knowledge.

The Plant Response Diagnosis System (PRDS) is an explainable decision-support system designed to detect hidden physiological stress in soilless greenhouse crops such as rockwool, coco coir, and hydroponic systems. In modern greenhouses, substrate and environmental sensors may show acceptable values, while the plant may still suffer from stress caused by high atmospheric demand, osmotic pressure, root-zone limitation, oxygen deficiency, unsuitable root temperature, or non-uniform irrigation. PRDS addresses this problem by analyzing substrate data, environmental data, and plant-response data in one integrated diagnostic framework. The system estimates the Expected Plant Response (EPR) based on current substrate and environmental conditions and compares it with the Actual Plant Response (APR) observed from the plant. 

When a meaningful deviation is detected, the system calculates a Mismatch Index (MI), classifies the probable cause of stress, and provides a practical corrective recommendation.
Unlike conventional greenhouse monitoring systems that mainly display sensor values separately, PRDS evaluates whether the plant is responding as expected under the current growing conditions. This makes the system useful for early detection of hidden stress before severe visible symptoms appear.

This innovation is eligible to receive the IFIA Innovation Standard (IIS) certification because it presents a new and practical approach to smart greenhouse diagnosis. The main innovation is not the use of a new sensor, but the creation of an explainable diagnostic process that compares the expected behavior of the plant with its actual physiological response.
Most existing greenhouse systems focus on monitoring substrate conditions, plant status, or environmental parameters separately. PRDS combines these three layers and transforms raw sensor data into meaningful diagnostic outputs. By detecting mismatches between expected and actual plant responses, the system can identify hidden stress conditions that may not be recognized through ordinary monitoring.
The innovation has strong practical value because it helps growers move from simple data observation to decision-making. It can support earlier stress detection, better irrigation and climate management, reduced crop loss, and more efficient use of water, nutrients, and energy. The system is also scalable and can be implemented with low-cost IoT hardware, web dashboards, and future greenhouse automation platforms. Its explainable structure makes it suitable for growers, researchers, and commercial greenhouse operators.

Sepideh Abedi is an agricultural engineering and horticultural science specialist with professional experience in technical consulting for farmers and agricultural production systems. Her academic and professional background is closely related to plant physiology, horticulture, crop production, and greenhouse management. This background provides a strong foundation for developing an innovation focused on plant response, root-zone conditions, soilless cultivation, and smart agricultural decision-support.
Through the PRDS project, she has contributed to the development of an applied AgTech innovation that connects plant physiology with sensor-based greenhouse management. The project reflects her interest in practical agricultural problem-solving, modern greenhouse technologies, and the development of tools that can help growers make more accurate and timely decisions. PRDS also represents a bridge between traditional agricultural expertise and emerging technologies such as IoT, data-driven diagnosis, and explainable decision-support systems.