Abstract:
An excessive temperature spread due to uneven energy deposition has been a persistent obstacle to most microwave heating applications. We present a theoretical and experimental study aimed at a deeper understanding of the causes for this difficulty and a fundamentally different approach to overcome it.
The main research tool is a microwave applicator, which features the rarely-used ISM frequency of 24 GHz with a heating rate about 2-3 orders of magnitude faster than the mainstream frequencies of 2.45 GHz and 27 MHz. High radiation uniformity (~99%), polarization control, and real-time IR images allow highly repeatable data acquisition for scientific analyses. Preliminary results on the study of a major but hitherto unnoticed cause for non-uniformity (polarization charge shielding) and an effective remedy will be reported.
Research is being conducted with colleagues in the College of Bioresources and Agriculture on microwave control of grain insects, seed-borne bacteria, and dragon fruit virus. Some encouraging initial results will also be reported. We are looking forward to collaborations with interested colleagues on more applications such as pest control of museum artifacts and microwave treatment of 2D materials.
Brief Bio:
1973-1977, Research Scientist, Science Applications International Corporation,
Virginia, U.S.A.
1977-1983, Supervisory Research Physicist, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory,
Washington D.C., U.S.A.
1983-2010, Professor/Distinguished Chair, Department of Physics, National Tsing
Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
2010-present, Distinguished Chair, Department of Physics, National Taiwan
University, Taipei, Taiwan