| abstract |
Systems, methods and devices for in situ soil sterilization using contained microwave energy, and more specifically methods and devices for removing from the soil to a specified depth in situ substantially all biological pests. The method comprises exposing the specified depth of soil to sufficient energy flux, within a sufficiently short exposure time, of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation at a frequency tuned to dissociate biopolymers. The device comprises: a source of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation; a carriage; and, optionally a radiation shield and a cooling system. The carriage moves the source of electromagnetic radiation to an area for treatment and the radiation shield prevents leakage of radiation to undesired points. The cooling system maintains the device at a sufficiently cool temperature for reliable operation. |