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When it comes to microwave ovens, say researchers in South Africa, five sides
are better than four. Because the walls of standard microwave ovens are
parallel, microwaves bouncing off them interfere with one another, producing a
standing wave pattern. “You end up with very distinct hot and cold regions,”
says Thys Rossouw of the research group CSIR, based in Pretoria. “To cook food
evenly, you need to put it on a turntable,” he adds. But Rossouw has found a way
to eliminate the hot and cold spots. “With five walls, the waves are reflected
off sideways, so you don’t get…