Chemists Cook Up Results in Microwaves

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Nearly gone are the days of scientists toiling over steaming, boiling beakers. Today, they can zap their experiments in a microwave.

For the last two years, Tom White, a chemist for R. J. Reynolds, has been one of a handful of scientists across the country pioneering the use of microwave ovens in the research lab.

By using a microwave instead of a hot plate to heat analytical samples, White said, sample preparation time is reduced by 80%.