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microwave

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microwave

a. electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 0.3 to 0.001 metres: used in radar, cooking, etc.
b. (as modifier): microwave generator
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

microwave

[′mī·krə‚wāv]
(electromagnetism)
An electromagnetic wave which has a wavelength between about 0.3 and 30 centimeters, corresponding to frequencies of 1-100 gigahertz; however, there are no sharp boundaries distinguishing microwaves from infrared and radio waves.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

microwave

Meaning "small wave," a microwave is a radio signal in the frequency range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz or from 1 to 300 GHz, depending on the rating system. Except for AM and FM radio, shortwave radio and over-the-air TV, almost all other communications systems transmit microwaves, including satellites, cellular systems, wireless LANs and line-of-sight between buildings and across vast distances.

Confusing Terminology
The microwave bands include the millimeter wave bands, which range from 30 to 300 GHz. See spectrum, millimeter wave and microwave oven.


Early Microwave Tower
Line-of-sight microwaves were first used to transmit across long distances where the terrain was too difficult to lay cable. This tower was installed in 1969 in Boulder Junction, Colorado. (Image courtesy of AT&T.)
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References in periodicals archive
Microwaving baby formula is also a problem, according to Dr.
For instance, microwaving milk and cereal grains converted some of their amino acids into carcinogens, thawing frozen fruits converted their glucoside and galactoside containing fractions into carcinogenic substances, and carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants, especially root vegetables.
Ask natural life: answers to your questions about healthy, sustainable living
Too much water was apparently the problem in a 2003 study in which European researchers reported that microwaving broccoli in a bowl of water destroyed nearly all of several flavonoids, while steaming had only a mild effect on them.
That research isn't relevant to household microwaving, says Swanson.
Fact vs. fiction
EN endorses steaming or microwaving of veggies, as long as you do the following:
* When microwaving, use a microwave-safe container with a tight-fitting lid.
Microwaving vegetables can be healthful, if done right
Microwaving is particularly useful in cooking frozen vegetables.
Zap your veggies
Microwaving has not been used on a commercial scale because heating patterns have been too unpredictable.
Model microwaved foods to optimize their cooking
They also point out that plasticizers used in PVC plastic cling wraps may get into fatty food if it is in direct contact with the food during the microwaving process.
More on microwave cooking
A new study shows that microwaving human milk -- even at a low setting -- can destroy some of its important disease-fighting capabilities.
Adverse changes at such low temperatures suggest "microwaving itself may in fact cause some injury to the [milk] above and beyond the heating," he says.
Microwaving can lower breast milk benefits
British researchers suggest microwaving may not heat the centers of foods -- especially heavily salted foods -- enough to kill toxic bacteria.
Microwaving microorganisms: salty shield?
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