Abstract: A method for laminating an assembled sandwich structure consisting of a functional part (4) and one glass article (5) separated from an outer surface of the functional part by a laminating film (6) by heating with electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum is described. In the method equal temperatures of all sandwich components are provided by selection of the optimal radiation frequencies. The optimal vacuum level is provided following the laminating film temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for doping semiconductor materials using microwave exposure. In some embodiments, the surface of a semiconductor substrate coated with a layer of dopant material is exposed to a beam of microwave radiation, with the frequency of the microwave radiation chosen to coincide with a microwave absorption resonance of the dopant. A gyrotron is a preferred source of monochromatic microwaves capable of delivering the appropriate the power density. Under this microwave exposure, the dopant heats up and diffuses into the semiconductor. Since only the dopant is selectively excited, the atoms of the crystal lattice remain cooler. Additional cooling can be provided by a flow of cooling gas onto the surface. When the electric field of the microwave exposure is high enough to overcome the potential barrier of interstitial diffusion within the crystal, the dopants migrate to vacancies in the crystal lattice, and the semiconductor material becomes activated.

Abstract: A method for microbiological decontamination/sterilization of an organic product is described. In this method, an organic product is provided with a liquid or liquefiable material layer on its surface. The liquid or liquefiable material is removed by explosive vaporization by irradiating the layer with a gyrotron microwave beam having a power density of at least about 500 W per square cm. The beam frequency is selected to be approximately equal to the liquid or liquefiable material layer thickness, and the irradiation time is about 0.5 second or less.

Abstract: A method for laminating an assembled sandwich structure consisting of a functional part (4) and one glass article (5) separated from an outer surface of the functional part by a laminating film (6) by heating with electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum is described. In the method equal temperatures of all sandwich components are provided by selection of the optimal radiation frequencies. The optimal vacuum level is provided following the laminating film temperature.

Abstract: A method of thermal compacting of an airbag cushion is described where rapid heating is conducted by a microwave beam directed at a mold through a radiation transparent wall without materially heating the mold itself.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a glass article. The method includes exposing a selected area of the glass article to a beam of electromagnetic radiation in order to diffuse first alkali metal ions in the selected area out of the glass article and to diffuse second alkali metal ions on a surface of the glass article and in the selected area into the glass article. The second alkali metal ions are larger than the first alkali metal ions. The beam of electromagnetic radiation heats first alkali metal ions and the second alkali metal ions to a temperature that is greater than that of a glass network of the glass article.

Abstract: A method of thermally tempering a glass sheet. The method includes preheating the glass sheet to a temperature higher than a strain point of the glass sheet and lower than a softening point of the glass sheet, exposing the glass sheet to an electromagnetic radiation in order to heat the mid-plane of the glass sheet to a temperature significantly higher than the transition point while simultaneously keeping a surface of the glass sheet at a temperature that is below the softening point, and quenching the glass sheet so that the temperature of the mid-plane and the surface of the glass sheet fall below the strain point, respectively.

Abstract: A method of thermally tempering a glass sheet. The method includes preheating the glass sheet to a temperature higher a strain point of the glass sheet and lower than a softening point of the glass sheet, exposing the glass sheet to a beam of penetrating microwave radiation in order to heat the mid-plane of the glass sheet to a temperature that is above the softening point while simultaneously keeping a surface of the glass sheet at a temperature that is below the softening point, and quenching the glass sheet so that the temperature of the mid-plane and the surface of the glass sheet fall below the strain point, respectively.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a glass article. The method includes exposing a selected area of the glass article to a beam of electromagnetic radiation in order to diffuse first alkali metal ions in the selected area out of the glass article and to diffuse second alkali metal ions on a surface of the glass article and in the selected area into the glass article. The second alkali metal ions are larger than the first alkali metal ions. The beam of electromagnetic radiation heats first alkali metal ions and the second alkali metal ions to a temperature that is greater than that of a glass network of the glass article.

Abstract: A method of high speed cutting of non-metallic materials (14), preferably glass, is described. In the inventive method a concentrated microwave radiation (1) with appropriate frequency and power density is chosen so as to accomplish heating of at least one selected area (2) of the body at the required separating propagation path (3) to required temperature in a selected short time while ensuring that this temperature is large enough to create a thermal stress (6) through the thickness of the selected area that results in the separating of the body material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laminating glass articles without using an autoclave. The sandwich structure to be laminated is preheated than is placed in a controllable vacuum and subjected to electromagnetic radiation with specified frequencies and power. The final heating is provided by convectional heat source. Pressure that is applied continuously during the radiating, heating and cooling steps is also specified for achieving an appropriate bond. An apparatus appropriate for realizing the invented process is also provided. The apparatus includes a loading table, three furnaces, and a cooling chamber which are adjusted to and adjoined to each to other. These parts provide the necessary conditions for high-quality laminating simple and multi-sandwich structures with high production rate and efficiency. The apparatus is inexpensive and fits into the space of two glass article lengths.

Abstract: A method of high speed cutting of non-metallic materials (14), preferably glass and laminated glass, is described. In the inventive method a concentrated microwave radiation (1) with appropriate frequency and power density is chosen so as to accomplish heating of at least one selected area (2) of the body at the required separating propagation path (3) to required temperature in a selected short time while ensuring that this temperature is large enough to create a thermal stress (6) through the thickness of the selected area that results in the separating of the body material. In one embodiment of the invention a method of high speed cutting laminated glass is described wherein concentrated microwave radiation is used for delaminating adhesive film before the step of separating the glass body.

Abstract: A method for laminating glass sheets wherein laminating film (1) is placed over one surface of a first glass sheet (2) and the film (1) is heated with short wave radiation (4) to a bonding temperature. Heated areas (8) of the film (1) are successively pressed to the glass sheet (2) in a continuous manner for purging air from between the film (1) and the first glass sheet (2) and for applying bonding pressure. The pressed film areas (8) are then cooled whereby an appropriate bond is attained between the film (1) and the first glass sheet (2). Thereafter the first glass sheet (2) with its bonded film is subjected to a partial vacuum and a second glass sheet (10) is positioned on the film (1) and the second glass sheet (10) is pressed (11) to the film (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laminating glass articles without using an autoclave. The sandwich structure to be laminated is preheated than is placed in a controllable vacuum and subjected to electromagnetic radiation with specified frequencies and power. The final heating is provided by convectional heat source. Pressure that is applied continuously during the radiating, heating and cooling steps is also specified for achieving an appropriate bond. An apparatus appropriate for realizing the invented process is also provided. The apparatus includes a loading table, three furnaces, and a cooling chamber which are adjusted to and adjoined to each to other. These parts provide the necessary conditions for high-quality laminating simple and multi-sandwich structures with high production rate and efficiency. The apparatus is inexpensive and fits into the space of two glass article lengths.

Abstract: Infant formula in particle form is sterilized by continuously moving a bulk of the homogenized product particles in a cold environment and exposing the particles to concentrated microwave radiation having a frequency between about 20 GHz to about 200 GHz and sufficient power density to heat the particles to their required sterilization temperature in a selected time period to thereby prevent destruction of particle integrity. The thickness of the bulk is selected to be less than the skin layer for the microwave frequency used in the bulk.

Abstract: Here is described a method of expanding mineral ore particles, preferably perlite, to effect rapid heating of particles to a required softening temperature so that the selected size and shape of expanded ore particles is obtained. A microwave radiation with appropriate frequency and power density is chosen so as to accomplish particle heating to a required (e.g., softening) temperature in a selected short time while ensuring that the entire particle material is expanded at once. The method provides high efficiency of the expanding process that can be close to 100%.

Abstract: A method for laminating glass sheets wherein laminating film (1) is placed over one surface of a first glass sheet (2) and the film (1) is heated with short wave radiation (4) to a bonding temperature. Heated areas (8) of the film (1) are successively pressed to the glass sheet (2) in a continuous manner for purging air from between the film (1) and the first glass sheet (2) and for applying bonding pressure. The pressed film areas (8) are then cooled whereby an appropriate bond is attained between the film (1) and the first glass sheet (2). Thereafter the first glass sheet (2) with its bonded film is subjected to a partial vacuum and a second glass sheet (10) is positioned on the film (1) and the second glass sheet (10) is pressed (11) to the film (1).

Abstract: A method for making curved glass sheets (6) with an applied opaque layer (7) (e.g., enamel or water-based) wherein the sheet is passed through a tunnel furnace (1) having a number of gas or infrared (2) and microwave beam (3,4) heating sections. At least two microwave beam heating sections (3,4) are installed in the furnace and in each of them, a microwave beam (5) with appropriate frequency and power density, is provided to accomplish firing or curing (3) of the opaque layer (7) and shaping (4) of the profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating glass sheets (2) with a laminating film (1). The apparatus includes a furnace (FIG. 6) including a vacuum chamber (15) having inlet and outlet vacuum locks (14, 17), a vacuum pump (19) connected to the chamber (15) for evacuating air therefrom and a through conveyor (20) for conveying glass sheets (2) from the inlet lock (14) to the outlet lock (17) and for positioning the sheets (2) with applied film (1) in the chamber (15) for heat treatment. Bonding heat is provided within the chamber (15) by a device (16/1, 2, 3) providing controllable distribution of short wave radiation (4) over selected areas (17) of the film (1) for bonding the film to one or more glass sheets (2). Incoming and outgoing bridge conveyors (13, 18) are provided respectively for the inlet and outlet vacuum locks (14, 17) for moving the glass sheets (2) into and out of the vacuum chamber (15).

Abstract: A method for laminating glass sheets wherein laminating film is placed over one surface of a first glass sheet and the film is heated with microwave radiation to a bonding temperature. Heated areas of the film are successively pressed to the glass sheet in a continuous manner for purging air from between the film and the first glass sheet and for applying bonding pressure. The pressed film areas are then cooled whereby an appropriate bond is attained between the film and the first glass sheet. Thereafter the first glass sheet with its bonded film is subjected to a partial vacuum and a second glass sheet is positioned on the film and the second glass sheet is pressed to the film. The film is then reheated with microwave radiation to a bonding temperature and thereafter cooled whereby an appropriate bond is obtained between the film and the second glass sheet to provide a glass lamination.