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Article: Matter's fourth dimension: atmospheric plasma is the term physicists use to describe a microwave heating technology developed for metal joining but it also holds promise for food.(Devendra Kumar and Satyendra Kumar research on microwave heating)(Interview)
- Article from:
- Food Engineering
- Article date:
- March 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Arcing and uneven heating are two issues that have limited industrial applications of microwave technology, be it in food or any other manufacturing process. Researchers in Dana Corp.'s Disruptive Technologies Group in Rochester Hills, MI, believe they have overcome those limitations with atmospheric plasma technology--AtmoPlas for short. Toledo, OH-based Dana fabricates automotive parts in energy-intensive sintering furnaces operating at temperatures exceeding 2,000[degrees]F Atmospheric plasma can reduce energy costs because of its efficiency and faster cycle times--extreme temperatures are attained in seconds.
The auto aftermarket business seems an unlikely ...