Microwave processing of materials

Used primarily in the food industry for the last 30 years, microwave energy is now being aggressively investigated and evaluated for a wide range of applications in materials processing. The characteristics of microwave heating, its advantages over conventional heating methods, and current challenges/issues are discussed. Major emphasis is on research activities, recent equipment developments, and commercialization. Additional commercialization is a certainty and can be facilitated by a close working relationship between potential users, equipment manufacturers, and technology developers.