Induction Heating Research Articles

Revealing the role of Fe particle size in soft magnetic geopolymer for enhancing energy conversion in airport pavement induction heating

Enhancement of laser-textured surface mechanochemical robustness via electromagnetic induction heating and water quenching

The role of induction heating in catalytic propane dehydrogenation

Single-Phase High-Frequency Resonant Direct AC–AC Converter With Constant Off-Time Pulse Coding Modulation for Fluid Water Induction Heating

Rational designation of electromagnetic interface for low-temperature CO2 reforming CH4.

The rapid growth of electric vehicles and portable electronics has led to a surge in lithium-ion battery (LIB) consumption, creating an urgent need for efficient and sustainable recycling solutions. Among the established recycling methods, including pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling, thermal treatment plays a critical role. However, conventional heating techniques are often energy-intensive and time-consuming due to their low heating rates. This highlights the importance of exploring advanced rapid heating technologies for recycling spent LIBs. This review examines the role of heating in various LIB recycling processes and systematically introduces emerging rapid heating technologies, such as microwave heating, joule heating, and short contact time heating. In addition, advanced approaches, including induction heating, plasma heating, and CSR heating processes, are discussed in terms of their principles, process flows, unique effects, and applications in LIB recycling. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are outlined to support the efficient and scalable use of rapid heating technologies in spent LIB recycling, and the rapid heating process is also proposed for the efficient recycling of spent LIBs.

Surfacing is one of the most common and economically advantageous methods of restoring worn or damaged parts of machines and mechanisms. Due to its versatility, surfacing technology allows restoring the geometry of complex and heavily worn structural elements. A characteristic feature of this process is that after surfacing, the structure and properties of surfacing materials change significantly compared to the initial state, which is why the need for a detailed study of the structure and properties of the surfacing metal and, if necessary, the development of technologies for improving the structural and mechanical state of the metal in the surfacing zone becomes relevant every time. The work conducted a study of the microstructure of the surfacing metal of high-chromium steels containing 0.1-0.3% carbon, revealed its phase composition and determined properties. The role of δ-ferrite and austenite phases in reducing the hardness of steels after using them as surfacing materials was established. The positive effect of increasing the heating rate on the characteristics of the mechanical properties of the surfacing metal was shown. There is a range of tempering temperatures with rapid heating, after processing in which the deposited metal receives such a combination of strength and ductility indicators that cannot be achieved during traditional tempering in a furnace. The peculiarities of the influence of rapid heating on the fine structure of the deposited metal of high-chromium steels have been revealed, primarily on the size of the α-phase blocks, type II distortion, dislocation density, and also on the dispersion of the carbide phase. The prospects of using heat treatment with rapid induction heating to ensure the necessary indicators of the structural strength of heavily worn parts of machines and mechanisms restored by welding have been shown.

Additive manufacturing of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites enables the steering of individual fibre tows. This design flexibility has been successfully used to optimise carbon fibre composites for mechanical loading, but limited work has been carried out investigating how it could be used to enable processes that rely on the electrical properties. In this study, several carbon fibre samples are additively manufactured, and their induction heating behaviour is measured. The results indicate that a concentric layup pattern, made possible by tow steering, increases the maximum temperature reached by over 260%, compared to equivalent additively manufactured laminates with a traditional quasi-isotropic layup pattern. This demonstrates that tow steering of continuous carbon fibre can be used to alter electrical behaviour and enable new functionality. Induction welding is then used to demonstrate a practical application of this ability. Several additively manufactured samples are designed with their main structure consisting of unidirectional fibres for strength, and the joining area of the samples manufactured using a concentric pattern with improved inductance. The samples are then joined by induction welding. The results show that tow steering enables the manufacture of composite structures with one area designed for strength and another area designed to enable induction heating.

Due to its high-temperature resistance, high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, excellent chemical stability, and outstanding mechanical and electrochemical properties, graphite has been widely applied in various fields. However, the current production process of high-purity graphite is faced with issues such as high energy consumption and insufficient reduction degree. This study utilized COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 to couple the electromagnetic field, temperature field, velocity field, and flow field during the purification process of graphite. The dimensionless analysis method is adopted to investigate the influence of parameters such as current intensity, magnetic field frequency and concentration on the reduction degree of graphite feedstock, and the energy consumption in the furnace. Through numerical simulation, the interaction mechanism among various parameters under different parameter combinations is compared and analyzed, and the temperature change and fluid motion state of graphite feedstock during the electromagnetic induction heating process are predicted. When the current is 500 A, the average temperature inside the furnace gradually rises with the increase in the magnetic field frequency. This is because the energy input from induction coil and the energy output due to radiative heat loss gradually reach a dynamic equilibrium state. Furthermore, the average temperature inside the furnace continuously increases with the enhancement of the current, and for every increase of 50 A, the average temperature rises by approximately 200 K. Additionally, through dimensionless analysis, the optimal operating conditions for this induction furnace were determined to be a current intensity of 600 A and a magnetic field frequency of 14 kHz. Under these conditions, the reduction degree of the material reaches 99.69%, which achieves efficient purification and economical energy consumption. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of operating parameters in graphite purification process, which is of great significance for improving production efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and promoting the application of high-purity graphite.

This study addresses the issues of high energy consumption and low efficiency in conventional electric heating snow-melting systems for railway turnouts. A novel system is proposed that integrates electromagnetic induction heating with traditional electric heating to optimise energy transfer pathways and enhance energy utilisation efficiency. The system enables dynamic adjustment of heating power, thereby supporting adaptive operation under varying environmental conditions. Through theoretical analysis, temperature field simulations, and experimental validation, the energy regulation mechanism and performance characteristics are examined. Results show that, under full snow-cover conditions, the proposed induction heating system reduces snow-melting time by 76.9% compared with traditional electric heating, while achieving a 29% efficiency gain under snow-free conditions. Steady-state temperature rise tests demonstrate close agreement between simulations and measurements: directional heat transfer efficiency improves significantly, with the average rail temperature decreasing by 8.5% and the air temperature in the working area increasing by 15%. Additionally, the system increases the ice- and snow-melting rates by 0.4 and 0.8 times, respectively, while reducing energy consumption by 30–40%. An optimised composite thermal structure further enhances heat utilisation. This study provides both theoretical and practical insights for advancing turnout snow-melting technology and its engineering applications.

Biological muscles possess somatosensory function that allows them to not only sense environmental stimuli but also produce responsive deformations according to changes in environmental stimuli. However, such function is largely absent for existing synthetic soft robotic muscles. Here, we present somatosensory untethered soft robotic muscles (SUSRMs) that seamlessly integrate proprioception of external stimuli and actuation of the muscle, enabling closed-loop control of somatosensory actuation. SUSRMs have leveraged the change of current arising from magnetic coupling in eddy current induction to achieve somatosensory function, and employed eddy current induction heating to enable programmable and spatiotemporal actuations. Based on SUSRMs, we demonstrate spatially programmable multidirectional catapult and logic circuit switches capable of temporally programmable sequential switching or environmentally adaptive control, the closed-loop controlled soft robot that can autonomously navigate remotely transmitting internal images in real time, and transport cargo in enclosed environments. Through a multifield-coupling control strategy, we also demonstrate a customizable multifunctional crab-shaped soft robot that enables multiterrain locomotion, carrying and releasing cargo, repairing circuits, and sensing the environment in enclosed spaces. Our design, based on the principle of eddy current induction, offers a versatile strategy to create advanced somatosensory and untethered soft robotic muscles.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA), one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide. Management of acute PJI commonly involves debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), though failure rates remain high due to antibiotic-tolerant biofilms. Chronic PJI is typically treated with two-stage revision using antibiotic-loaded spacers, but this approach carries substantial morbidity, especially during the interstage period. Preventative strategies include preoperative patient optimization, antibiotic prophylaxis, tranexamic acid, antiseptic skin preparation, and local antibiotic powders and rinses. To improve outcomes, emerging innovations include biofilm-active antimicrobial agents, targeted postoperative antibiotic delivery, intraarticular irrigation protocols, and one-stage revision strategies. While biofilm is a significant contributor to persistent infection, technologies to combat this problem include antibacterial implant surfaces, mechanically disruptive shockwave and magnetic fields, bioactive glass, and induction heating. In cases of treatment failure, salvage options remain limited, but novel approaches such as pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapy offer promising new directions.

Optimal Control of Induction Heating of Steel Workpieces with Respect to Minimum Scale Formation Criteria

Heating Effect Evaluation of the Electromagnetic Induction Heating System at the High Temperature and Pressure Simulated Wellbore

This study presents a high-frequency heat-assisted incremental bending process for the high-efficiency, high-precision forming of medium-thickness (≥3 mm) double-curved metal plates, addressing the limitations of traditional stamping and line heating methods in aerospace and marine applications. A minimum energy loading path strategy is proposed to optimize the forming trajectory and reduce residual stress. A coupled thermomechanical finite element model was developed, incorporating high-frequency induction heating, temperature-dependent material properties, and Coulomb friction. The model was validated through experiments on Q235 steel plates. Results show that the proposed process reduces the peak forming force and decreases the number of forming points compared to conventional cold incremental bending. Springback is reduced, and the final shape accuracy reaches within 3 mm deviation from the target geometry. Double-curvature sail and saddle-shaped plates were successfully fabricated, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the method. This work provides a promising solution for low-cost, flexible manufacturing of complex medium-thickness components.

Abstract The present work reviews thermophysical property data such as density, surface tension, normal spectral emissivity, and molar heat capacity for liquid binary Al–Ti alloys measured by electromagnetic levitation (EML). The data are studied as functions of temperature and composition. In EML, forces generated by an inhomogeneous magnetic AC field stably position the specimen against gravity. Melting is achieved by inductive heating. Density (volume) is determined from the droplet’s edge curve in the shadow graph profile. Surface tension is determined from the frequency spectrum of the time-dependent radius. Normal spectral emissivity is determined by a direct radiance method, and the laser modulation calorimetry methods is used for the determination of the molar heat capacity. The results are discussed on the basis of thermodynamic solution models, and the obtained excess properties are compared with each other. A great similarity is hereby found demonstrating the pronounce non-ideality of the Al–Ti system.

Study on Induction Heating Characteristics of Spiral Bevel Gear Excited by Selective Laser Melting Coil

Rapid Densification of Cold-Sprayed Ti-6Al-4V Coatings via Induction Heating

Formation of the Structure of Composite Abrasive-Containing Materials during Sintering with Induction Heating

Induction vs. laser heating: A comparative study on innovative electrode drying technologies on pilot-scale