The RF Energy Alliance (RFEA), formed as a non-profit industry association to promote the adoption of solid-state microwave technology for energy applications, disbanded on December 31, recommending its members join the International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI).
In a letter to RFEA members, executive director Klaus Werner wrote, “IMPI, for more than 50 years, has focused on microwave powered applications and technologies and regards our views, ideas and current work as a very valuable and complementary addition to their organization.” He said IMPI’s large membership and organizational structure would increase the effectiveness of RFEA members getting solid-state technology adopted for RF energy applications.
The RFEA’s lead or “promoter” companies — EGO, HUBER+SUHNER, pinkRF and Rogers — have joined IMPI.
Werner’s letter did not explain why the RFEA board decided to dissolve the organization. He wrote, “We do believe that the mission and vision of the RF Energy Alliance are as valid and relevant as they were at its inception. Although the alliance made significant progress on technical aspects… the board of directors… decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to have closed its doors on December 31, 2018” — some four years after debuting at the 2014 European Microwave Week (EuMW).
IMPI
With the addition of the four RFEA promoter companies, IMPI has 22 corporate members, including Ampleon, Campbell Soup, Conagra Brands, Ferrite Microwave Technologies, Graphic Packaging International, L-3 Electron Devices, MKS, Muegge GmbH, Nestle, NXP Semiconductors, Odyssey Technical Solutions, PepsiCo, PSC, Richardson Electronics, SAIREM, TurboChef, Tyson Foods and Wattsine. Overall, IMPI has 185 members from 17 countries, comprising corporate, professional and student members.
Bob Schiffmann, IMPI president, sees unlimited opportunities for legacy and new members working in the RF solid-state field:
“During its 53-year history, IMPI has been at the forefront of disseminating the latest microwave research and applications in all aspects of microwave/RF power. Some examples, are early presentations in areas such as power from space, microwave hypothermia to treat cancer, industrial heating of heat sensitive materials, and more. The advent of solid-state power transistors, producing significant levels of microwave power, represents a quantum leap in this area, and IMPI is proud to provide a home and a voice for this technology through the addition of members of the RF Energy Alliance to its ever-growing corporate membership.” — Bob Schiffmann
IMPI holds two events each year: an annual symposium and short course in the fall. The organization also conducts spring and fall webinar series, publishes the peer-reviewed “Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy” and “The Wave” newsletter and conducts special projects such as consumer behavior surveys.
In a release announcing the new members from the RFEA, IMPI said the organization has seen a “dramatic upswing” in membership over the past two years.