Winter 2005, Vol. 2, Issue 4

Microwave synergy extends outlook to the outback

Microwave Synergy's Stan Morrow is casting his company's future on the improved quality and lower cost of microwave melting. Click image for larger view.

Imagine military personnel manufacturing replacement vehicle parts or other vital equipment in the field—by melting and casting items in a microwave‑based foundry on a truck bed. That's the latest dream of former Y‑12 employee Stan Morrow and Microwave Synergy Inc., the research and development company he co‑founded with wife, Karen, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The company, which specializes in microwave technology for processing metallic and advanced ceramic materials, has already delivered some “impressive” part castings to the U.S. Army, says Charles Ragland, the company's business director.

In keeping with Microwave Synergy's licensing agreement, the Morrows are commercializing Y‑12's unique microwaving capabilities internationally. In December, they met with members of the Australian government and private investors with the aim of launching Microwave Synergy Australia.

Morrow's idea for a microwave‑based “foundry of the future“ proposes more system flexibility, adaptability and energy efficiency. He also believes it could save jobs and increase the competitiveness of the U.S. metal‑casting industry.

The company is marketing to Australia partly because it mines and exports a lot of precious metals, Ragland said. High‑end metals melt at more than 1,600°C and there is interest in technologies that improve the industry. Microwave Synergy has recorded microwaving temperatures of 2,600°C at substantially reduced power compared to the 1,800°C maximums of conventional technologies.

As a developing, proof‑of‑concept company, Microwave Synergy looks to future economic gains from its growing network of potential partnerships and continuing work with Y‑12.

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