Fall 2004, Vol. 1, Issue 2

Microwave melting is a hot technology

A Technology Development technician places some insulation into the prototype microwave unit in Y-12's microwave research and development facility. Click image for larger view.

Groups ranging from small local and regional businesses and universities to a German technical university are joining forces to advance the Y‑12-invented process of metal microwaving. They hope to revolutionize the automotive, medical and aerospace industries by improving the quality of the metal they use.

Last November, Y‑12 signed a mentor-protege agreement with MS Technology Inc. after licensing the Oak Ridge firm to use the technology. The agreement is part of a competitive-bid DOE program to build businesses and technology skills to achieve the overall NNSA mission.

"The small company setting enables Y‑12 to advance the technology faster," said MSTI president Harbans Singla. MSTI draws on Y‑12's business and technical expertise.

Microwave Technology Inc. a Y‑12 licensee in Chattanooga, has a large industrial microwave and also is working with Y‑12 to further develop the technology for both government and commercial applications. Rep. Zach Wamp has recognized MTI for its efforts to develop a new industry in the community.

Compared with traditional methods, microwave melting is cleaner, safer, more energy efficient, more precise in temperature control and more compact. Microwaving produces a higher quality product, can reach higher temperatures and can also melt exotic materials.

MSTI's prototype microwave processing facility, established to advance the technology and showcase it to potential private-sector clients, was installed and operating in four weeks. Summer interns, guided by their Y‑12 mentor Alan Moore and MSTI supervisors Mike Hylton and Ken Givens, were involved in implementing the production-scale prototype unit and its state-of-the-art data acquisition and control system.

Jonathan Thomas, a Tuskegee sophomore in mechanical engineering; Yashica Hunt, a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Tennessee State University and James Henkel, University of Tennessee sophomore and nuclear engineering major, all appreciated the hands-on training. "By far this has been the best summer experience," said Thomas.

Both Thomas' and Henkel's fathers work at Y‑12.

Future plans include a Microwaving Center of Excellence—a consortium of BWXT Y‑12, business partners and universities located in the Tennessee corridor.

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