Microwave Processing and Ultrafast Sintering of Ceramics

This research investigates the use of high-frequency microwave radiation to induce dielectric heating for the rapid temperature elevation of ceramic materials. The absorbed microwave energy is utilized primarily for sintering ceramics with potential applications in energy generation and conversion devices, such as electrochemical and fuel cells. Experimental studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of MW sintering on key physical and functional properties, including densification, porosity, microstructure, curvature, and electrochemical performance in materials such as YSZ, ScSZ, NiO/YSZ, LSCF, and GDC.

In parallel, the research explores an analogous approach based on Joule heating, implemented through the Ultra-Fast High-Temperature Sintering (UHS) technique. In this method, a carbon fiber is resistively heated by passing an electric current through it, and the resulting thermal energy is transferred via radiation and conduction is employed to process ceramic samples. This approach enables a comparative analysis of the effects of microwave-assisted and Joule-assisted rapid sintering, thereby providing complementary insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing ultrafast thermal processing of functional ceramics.