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Microwave Steelmaking

Posted by timothy on from the use-the-smelt-setting dept.

Makarand writes "Researchers at the Michigan Technological University are working on a low-cost steelmaking process which uses microwaves to heat iron ore instead of conventional heating. Their steelmaking facility was made of magnetrons from six household microwaves wired together and an electric arc furnace. When fed iron oxide and coal, the microwave energy could reduce the iron ore to iron within minutes and the electric arc furnace smelted the iron and coal into steel. The steel industry is taking a closer look at this new process which could cut steel production costs by upto 50%."

5 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Science can do anything! by Zemrec · · Score: 4, Funny

    First they find the cure for cancer is the common cold, and now they can put metal in a microwave!! Maybe next they'll find the cause of belly button lint.

    1. Re:Science can do anything! by PD · · Score: 2, Funny

      The cause of belly button lint is belly buttons. There's a 100% positive correlation.

      --
      If tits were wings it'd be flying around.
  2. My liege? by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny

    " The steel industry is taking a closer look at this new process which could cut steel production costs by upto 50%"

    I'm glad somebody finally hit that research button. I can't make any more villagers.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  3. since no one else jumped on this one by maddh · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...eliminating the need for high-cost coke.

    finished rehab?

  4. Oh Yeah Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This may be a big timesaver, but, unfortunately, this process gives the steel a rubbery texture, and the middle always comes out frozen.