The study this story is based on is available online:
http://bit.ly/q86Y55 CORVALLIS, Ore. –More than 60 percent of
the energy produced by cars, machines, and industry around the
world is lost as waste heat – an age-old problem - but
researchers have found a new way to make “thermoelectric”
materials for use in technology that could potentially save vast
amounts of energy. And it’s based on a device found everywhere
from kitchens to dorm rooms: a microwave oven. Chemists at
Oregon State University have discovered that simple microwave
energy can be used to make a very promising group of compounds
called “skutterudites,” and lead to greatly improved methods of
capturing wasted heat and turning it into useful electricity. A
tedious, complex and costly process to produce these materials
that used to take three or four days can now be done in two
minutes. Most people are aware you’re not supposed to put metal
foil into a microwave, because it will spark. But powdered
metals are different, and OSU scientists are t