Microwave Heating and Physical Phenomena of Microwave Heating of Materials –A Review

Microwave heating is a major research direction in advanced processing technologies, intensively studied for its superior energy efficiency and improved process performance compared to classical heating methods. The paper contributes to the understanding of the physical mechanisms underlying the interaction between the electromagnetic field and matter and verifies the current state of applications of this technology. The paper deals with the physical phenomena underlying microwave heating, characterizes relevant material properties, such as dielectric permittivity, loss factor and electromagnetic field distribution, and classifies materials according to their response to the microwave field. The research results certify that microwave heating allows for a rapid and volumetric energy transfer, which leads to significant reductions in processing time and measurable improvements in energy efficiency, as well as in the physical and structural properties of materials. From the perspective of strategic forecasting, bibliometric and patent analyses, an accelerated adoption of microwave heating in industrial and research applications is indicated. Microwave heating is a versatile and high-potential technology with diverse application areas.