An energy-efficient microwave clothes dryer is being developed. A special process for moisture removal is being utilized that dries microwave-heated clothes rapidly and consumes relatively little energy. An added benefit of the process is that sensitive fabrics, including wool, can be safely and rapidly machine-dried. Preliminary calculations show that the energy consumption of the new dryer may be less than one-third of the energy consumption of conventional electric clothes dryers. Large increases in drying speed, when compared to the speed of conventional dryers, have also been indicated by the calculations. During phase i of the project, an experimental dryer is being fabricated to test the concept and investigate design problems. The primary goal of phase i is to demonstrate theenergy efficiency of the clothes dryer. If successful, an engineering prototype is to be fabricated and tested during phase ii of the project.
