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Continuous Production Microwave Furnace Now Operating at NanoMaterials Innovation Center OF ALFRED, NEW YORK
The Western Hemisphere’s first high-temperature (1500° C) continuous production microwave furnace is now fully functional at New York’s NanoMaterials Innovation Center (NMIC). The NMIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfred Technology Resources, Inc. (ATRI), the high-tech business incubator near the campus of Alfred University. Microwave furnaces are increasingly used for the processing of magnetic materials, ceramics, powdered metals and other advanced materials at high temperatures. The continuous production furnace at NMIC can be used for high-temperature sintering of powdered metals, ceramics and functionally graded materials. This system reduces sintering time for Ni-Zn ferrites from 9 hours to 4 hours, with over 70% energy reduction and greater product density. It capably sinters alumina structural ceramics at 80-150°C lower than conventional furnaces, and reduces sintering time to 6 hours from 15-20 hours. This yields a 65% reduction in energy consumption and produces finer grain, higher strength components with less deformation and cracking.
 
Since the NMIC is a user facility, a variety of American companies are using the new furnace for proprietary microwave research. For example, Spheric Technologies of Phoenix, AZ used it in performing contract research on producing ceramic materials for use in the natural resources development industry. Another company recently used it to gauge the impact of continuous microwave processing in producing cement, evaluating energy, time and production cost advantages. A major metals supplier plans to conduct its own metallurgy tests using the furnace. Non-disclosure agreements with the NMIC shield companies as they evaluate microwave processing to gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.
The NMIC provides universities critical technology resources in microwave nanomaterials processing assembled in a specialized facility. We provide equipment access, facilities and infrastructure in support of new ventures, technology incubation and technology transfer among university, industry and venture partners. We also provide research resources supporting principal investigators of SBIR/STTR and CRADA activity, as well as specialized sponsored research.
Other research equipment available via the NMIC includes:
- Microwave plasma torch for synthesizing nanopowders
- Sonochemcial synthesis apparatus to manufacture nanopowders
- Spray drying - powder preparation
- Automated pellet press
- Tape casting and multilayer packaging
- Microwave sintering furnace for atmospheric and high vacuum applications
- Continuous microwave pusher tunnel kiln
- Microwave laboratory furnaces
- Carbon nanotube processing capability
- Atomic force microscopy with nanolithography
For details on how to use the NMIC for industrial research, industrially-sponsored university research, SBIR/STTR projects, or for qualified researcher access to shared experimental facilities, contact us via email or by phone directly to (607) 587-8057
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