Microwave Heating and Processing

This research line investigates the application of microwave heating as an emerging, innovative, property-improving, energy-conserving, eco-friendly, and time-saving technology applied across numerous fields, including materials processing, drying, curing and thermochemical reactions.

Microwave processing has shown clear advantages over conventional heating in many industrial processes and over an extensive variety of materials such as ceramics, composites and metals. Because electromagnetic energy interacts differently depending on material’s properties or composition, microwave technology has the potential to develop entirely new or enhanced manufactured products through internal selective heating as well as new approaches and processes for producing such materials.

“The ultrafast microwave interaction with materials can create new reaction pathways and processes not possible using other heating methods”

Integral vision of the microwave heating process

ITACA-DIMAS research offers an integral vision of the microwave heating process in different steps. This involves theoretical studies and modelling of microwave heating processes, measurement of dielectric properties, experimental validation, and the design of efficient microwave heating applicators and associated equipment for specific applications.

 

Characterization of materials and microwave heating processes

Determination of the material interaction with the MW fields, by measuring dielectric properties and other relevant material parameters with in-house microwave laboratory reactors. The in situ and real-time observation of materials during microwave heating with the simultaneous determination of microwave process parameters (temperature, dielectric properties, absorbed microwave power) together with the synchronous recording of thermo-physical and mechanical properties (structural, microstructural, compositional) provides a solid experimental basis for deeper theoretical insight into the ultrafast interaction of materials with microwaves and its kinetics.

Design of microwave applicators

We develop microwave applicators for microwave heating in the industry, as alternative to more conventional heating technologies. The use of powerful 3D EM simulators for the design and modelling of the microwave structure, including materials, is essential for an optimum achievement of the potential advantages of microwave processing

Manufacturing of benchtop laboratory applicators

Exploiting the potential of microwave processing requires the development of ad hoc, new, and complex laboratory instruments equipped with advanced measurement capabilities.

Complete engineering support for development up to demo units

With more than 20 years addressing industry heating processes, we provide engineering support for development up to demo units. Since 1996, our team has designed numerous devices, developed 100+ prototypes, and secured 30+ international patents, covering the entire spectrum of microwave heating applications

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