A method and an apparatus for producing direct reduced iron (DRI) move a material comprising iron ore and biomass through a preheat zone (20) and then a reduction zone (30) of a hearth furnace (3) and heat and progressively reduce iron ore and discharge DRI. Reduction gases flow in an opposite direction to material, and combustible gases in the reduction gases are combusted in the preheat zone and generate heat. Microwave energy heats material and reduces iron ore in the reduction zone. The microwave energy is supplied via a plurality of microwave applicators (66) arranged in a plurality of rows of applicators extending across a width of and along a section of a length of the reduction zone. The reduction zone (56) includes a lower sub zone (58) and an upper sub zone separated by an interface (80). The interface is configured to so that (a) microwave energy is at least substantially prevented from passing through the interface to the upper sub zone and (b) reduction gases produced in the lower sub zone from reduction of iron ore can flow through the interface into the upper sub zone.

Methods and apparatus for fabricating separators for solid-state lithium metal batteries employ rapid thermal processing. Aspects include high temperature sintering. Temperatures, durations of heat application, and proximity of heating elements to materials undergoing sintering combine to provide separators with desirable physical characteristics, including porosity, in a batch process.

Methods and apparatus for fabricating separators for solid-state lithium metal batteries employ rapid thermal processing. Aspects include high temperature sintering. Temperatures, durations of heat application, and proximity of heating elements to materials undergoing sintering combine to provide separators with desirable physical characteristics, including porosity, in a batch process.

Induction furnace, method for operating, control program, and control device for an inducation furnace for heating planar rolled stock material made of metal. The rolled stock passes through the induction furnace in a longitudinal direction and extends transversely thereto from a first to a second rolled stock edge. The induction furnace has a plurality of module pairs which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, follow one another sequentially and each have a first and a second induction module. The induction modules, as viewed in the transverse direction, are positioned at a respective initial position, so that the first induction modules are arranged offset towards the first rolled stock edge and the second induction modules are arranged offset towards the second rolled stock edge. Induction modules are supplied with electrical power via respective power supply devices. A respective electrical target variable is defined for each induction module.