Supplying global energy demand with CO2-free technologies is becoming feasible thanks to the rising affordability of renewable resources. Hydrogen is a promising vector in the decarbonization of energy systems, but more efficient and scalable synthesis is required to enable its widespread deployment. Here we report contactless H2 production via water electrolysis mediated by the microwavetriggered redox activation of solid-state ionic materials at low temperatures (<250 ºC). Water was reduced via reaction with non-equilibrium gadolinium-doped CeO2 that was previously in situ electrochemically deoxygenated by the sole application of microwaves. The microwave-driven reduction was identified by an instantaneous electrical conductivity rise and O2 release. This process was cyclable, whereas H2 yield and energy efficiency were material-and power-dependent. Deoxygenation of low-energy molecules (H2O or CO2) led to the formation of energy carriers and enabled CH4 production when integrated with a Sabatier reactor. This method could be extended to other reactions such as intensified hydrocarbons synthesis or oxidation.Sustainability of industry, transportation and energy management will rely on CO2-free technologies and renewable electricity, which are boosted by the rising affordability of photovoltaic solar and wind turbine parks. The electrification of industry and transport will strongly contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions 1,2 by using CO2-neutral energy carriers or chemical raw materials; however, the intermittent nature of renewables

Abstract-A microwave cavity and heating system for microwave processing and in situ dynamic measurements of the complex permittivity of dielectric materials at high temperatures ( 1000 C) has been developed. The method is based on a dual-mode cylindrical cavity where heating and testing are performed by two different swept frequency microwave sources. A cross-coupling filter isolates the signals coming from both sources. By adjusting the frequency bandwidth of the heating source and the level of coupling to the cavity, an automatic procedure allows for the establishment of a desirable level of heating rate to the dielectric sample to reach high temperatures in short cycles. Dielectric properties of materials as a function of temperature are calculated by an improved cavity perturbation method during heating. Accuracy of complex permittivity results has been evaluated and an error lower than 5% with respect to a rigorous analysis of the cavity has been achieved. The functionality of the microwave dielectric measurement system has been demonstrated by heating and measuring glass and ceramic samples up to 1000 C. The correlation of the complex permittivity with the heating rate, temperature, absorbed power, and other processing parameters can help to better understand the interactions that take place during microwave heating of materials at high temperatures compared to conventional heating.

Abstract-We present a new approach for inferring the electric field distribution inside materials in multimode cavities with mode stirrers. We calculate the electric field in the dielectric material by a two-dimensional modeling of a typical multimode microwave applicator with some mobile metallic sheets. We compare simulated results with classical approaches, such as Lambert's law or a constant electric field distribution. The proposed method allows for a better understanding of how these structures can be applied for heating materials when computing the microwave energy absorption in the dielectric. Finally, we perform experimental tests in a microwave multimode oven for validating purposes.

Abstract-In this paper, several mode-stirrer configurations are compared in order to establish their influence on the electric-field uniformity within an irradiated dielectric sample inserted in a microwave-heating applicator. Two different scenarios are evaluated with metallic sheets moving inside the multimode applicator. The different stirrer configurations are tested and compared for low-, medium-, and high-loss dielectric sample materials. Additionally, a straightforward procedure based on a generalized plane-wave approach is proposed and evaluated as a computationally efficient alternative for calculating the electric-field distribution inside materials processed in these microwave applicators with mode stirrers. Although very different electric patterns are achieved depending on stirrer geometry and sample permittivity, the plane-wave approach has been shown to provide a very good approximation for medium and high lossy dielectric materials.

Selective heating of different phases of multiphase systems via microwaves can result in energy savings and suppression of side reactions. However, materials properties and operating conditions that maximize temperature gradients are poorly understood. Here we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations and temperature measurements in structured flow reactors (monoliths) in a monomodal microwave cavity to assess the temperature difference between the walls and the fluid and develop a simple lumped model to estimate when temperature gradients exist. We also explore the material's thermal and electrical properties of structured reactors for isothermal catalyst conditions. We propose that CFD simulations can be used as a nonintrusive, predictive tool of temperature homogeneity. Importantly, we demonstrate that localized heating in the bed under several conditions rather than selective heating is responsible for the selectivity enhancement. Our results indicate that structured beds made of high thermal conductivity materials avoid arcing and enable temperature homogeneity and low electrical conductivity materials allow microwaves to penetrate the domain.