Microwave Processing of Thermal Runaway Materials

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9622326 Thomas This project is a collaborative effort that will involve mechanical and electrical engineers and materials scientists from a university, a federal laboratory, and two manufacturing companies. The research will develop techniques to explore microwave cavity design, microwave heating patterns, and electromagnetic and thermal measurements and control pertaining to continuous processing of thermal runaway materials. Thermal runaway materials are those in which dielectric loss factors increase more rapidly as their temperature rises when exposed to a microwave field. The inability to control temperatures during processing prevents widespread use of microwave processing for many commercially important materials. Microwave heating offers the possibility for better products at lower cost, increasing the international competitiveness of U. S. fiber and chemical industries. Results of this research may be applicable to a wide range of materials, especially those made from polymers and ceramics.