Methods of curing polyimide to tune the coefficient of thermal expansion are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of curing a polymer layer on a substrate, includes: (a) applying a variable frequency microwave energy to the substrate to heat the polymer layer and the substrate to a first temperature; and (b) adjusting the variable frequency microwave energy to increase a temperature of the polymer layer and the substrate to a second temperature to cure the polymer layer.

Methods of curing polyimide to tune the coefficient of thermal expansion are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of curing a polymer layer on a substrate, includes: (a) applying a variable frequency microwave energy to the substrate to heat the polymer layer and the substrate to a first temperature; and (b) adjusting the variable frequency microwave energy to increase a temperature of the polymer layer and the substrate to a second temperature to cure the polymer layer.

The modular microwave ablation system of the present disclosure includes a microwave instrument, a microwave generator, and one or more auxiliary modules that include circuitry for performing functions related to the operation of the microwave generator. The one or more auxiliary modules are removably connected to the microwave generator. The microwave generator includes a microwave signal generator that generates a microwave signal; a microwave generator controller in communication with the microwave signal generator; one or more terminals that connect to the one or more auxiliary modules, respectively; and a power supply and/or a power distribution module coupled to the microwave signal generator, the microwave generator controller, and the one or more terminals. The one or more terminals provide (1) power from the power supply and/or power distribution module to the one or more respective auxiliary modules and (2) communication signals to and from the one or more respective auxiliary modules.

The modular microwave ablation system of the present disclosure includes a microwave instrument, a microwave generator, and one or more auxiliary modules that include circuitry for performing functions related to the operation of the microwave generator. The one or more auxiliary modules are removably connected to the microwave generator. The microwave generator includes a microwave signal generator that generates a microwave signal; a microwave generator controller in communication with the microwave signal generator; one or more terminals that connect to the one or more auxiliary modules, respectively; and a power supply and/or a power distribution module coupled to the microwave signal generator, the microwave generator controller, and the one or more terminals. The one or more terminals provide (1) power from the power supply and/or power distribution module to the one or more respective auxiliary modules and (2) communication signals to and from the one or more respective auxiliary modules.

An electronic oven with a set of variable reflectance elements for controlling a distribution of heat in the electronic oven and associated methods are disclosed herein. The electronic oven includes a chamber, an energy source coupled to an injection port in the chamber, and a set of variable reflectance elements located in the chamber. In some of the disclosed approaches the variable reflectance elements are nonradiative. A control system of the electronic oven can be configured to alter the states of the variable reflectance elements to thereby alter and control the distribution of energy within the chamber.

A microwave heater comprises a cylindrical housing having an inner surface defining an internal cavity. A microwave generator is secured adjacent a first end of the housing and received inside the internal cavity is a sample holder that comprises an annular base member positioned adjacent the first end has a central axis coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first opening is formed along the central axis, an outlet of the microwave generator extending through the first opening along the central axis for emitting into the internal cavity electromagnetic waves centered at a given microwave wavelength. A circular support plate substantially parallel to the base member and concentric therewith, a cavity portion defined therebetween, is separated from the base member by a distance less than the given microwave wavelength for establishing a Transverse Magnetic (TM) 01 mode as a predominant resonance mode inside the cavity portion.

A microwave treatment device includes a plurality of radiation parts, a transmission line, and a plurality of feeding parts. The plurality of radiation parts includes first, second, and third radiation parts, and radiates a microwave. The transmission line has a loop line structure provided with a plurality of branch parts including first, second, and third branch parts, and transmits the microwave to the first, second, and third radiation parts respectively connected to the first, second, and third branch parts. The plurality of feeding parts includes the first feeding part and the second feeding part arranged in the transmission line at an interval of ¼ or less of the wavelength of the microwave, and transmits the microwave to the transmission line. According to this aspect, a radiation part that radiates the microwave can be selectively switched. This enables the intended heating distribution to be achieved.

A microwave treatment device includes a plurality of radiation parts, a transmission line, and a plurality of feeding parts. The plurality of radiation parts includes first, second, and third radiation parts, and radiates a microwave. The transmission line has a loop line structure provided with a plurality of branch parts including first, second, and third branch parts, and transmits the microwave to the first, second, and third radiation parts respectively connected to the first, second, and third branch parts. The plurality of feeding parts includes the first feeding part and the second feeding part arranged in the transmission line at an interval of ¼ or less of the wavelength of the microwave, and transmits the microwave to the transmission line. According to this aspect, a radiation part that radiates the microwave can be selectively switched. This enables the intended heating distribution to be achieved.

Method and apparatus for industrial microwave (MW)-assisted thermal sterilization and pasteurization using solid-state MW generators. One or more phased array generators heat packaged foods or liquids conveyed in transport carriers through a processing liquid providing supplemental temperature control and hydrostatic pressure. Generator output signals are computer controlled, allowing phase and power-ratio modulation to both adjust interference patterns within heating cavities and shift focus of heating energy.

In order to provide a chemical reaction apparatus that can suppress a situation where microwaves are concentrated on a partial portion in a reactor, and that can more uniformly irradiate a content with the microwaves, a chemical reaction apparatus includes: a horizontal flow-type reactor in which a liquid content horizontally flows with an unfilled space being provided thereabove; a microwave generator that generates microwaves; and a waveguide that transmits the microwaves generated by the microwave generator to the unfilled space in the reactor, wherein a top of the reactor is curved with respect to a flow direction of the content.